Researchers of a review address the increasing global burden of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the need for more effective therapies, exploring the role of neuroinflammation in AD progression alongside the classical pathological hallmarks of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau protein aggregation. The review underlines the involvement of microglia and astrocytes as the primary inflammatory mediators in the central nervous system in AD pathology. The review also suggests that investigating neuroinflammation could help identify new markers for AD progression and therapeutic targets.

The review further discusses various cytokines and immune signaling pathways implicated in AD, highlighting their complex and sometimes conflicting roles in the disease’s pathogenesis. Additionally, it considers the potential of targeting neuroinflammation as a therapeutic strategy for AD. While the FDA’s recent approval of aducanumab signals a step forward, the review emphasizes the need for novel approaches beyond the traditional focus on Aβ and tau, suggesting that targeting microglial activation and improving microglial functions may offer new avenues for treatment.

Reference: Si ZZ, Zou CJ, Mei X, et al. Targeting neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease: from mechanisms to clinical applications. Neural Regen Res. 2023;18(4):708-715. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.353484.