There has been some relatively recent (earlier this year) work that suggests that microglia mediated degradation of synapses is a hallmark event in AD, possibly antecedent to tau or AB deposition. My work (unrelated to AD) has recently had me focused on microglia, and the more I learn about them, the more I'm (1) fascinated and (2) dumbfounded.aducanumab's microglia-mediated activity could account for the antibody's ability to remove plaques, rather than just to slow further Aβ accumulation
Ditto, I'm looking at a group of host-recognition receptors on microglia. It's possible they turn down clearance of plaques. It's also possible they turn down clearance of synapses. The next two years will tell.My work (unrelated to AD) has recently had me focused on microglia, and the more I learn about them, the more I'm (1) fascinated and (2) dumbfounded.