In their comprehensive review article, Michael Thomas Heneka, Wiesje Maria van der Flier, Frank Jessen, and colleagues explore the critical role of immune processes in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The review’s focus lies on understanding the role of immune processes, specifically neuroinflammation, in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, further looking into how different parts of the immune system, both the immediate and more specialised responses, play a role in causing and worsening Alzheimer's disease. The research team found that inflammation in the brain, driven by the immune system, plays a significant role in Alzheimer disease. Key players in this process are microglia and astrocytes, which are types of brain cells that become overactive and cause damage.
The study also noted that genetic factors and lifestyle choices, like diet and exercise, can influence how these immune responses affect the brain. The authors emphasise the importance of understanding these mechanisms for developing new therapeutic strategies targeting neuroinflammation, which are currently being tested in clinical trials. In the review, several remaining questions were mentioned, such as the question about the temporal dynamics, i.e., the precise timing of immune activation in relation to the stages of Alzheimer disease progression, or the cell-specific roles, contributions, and interactions in different contexts of the disease.
Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer disease | Nature Reviews Immunology