Alzheimer’s: Brain Erases Memories – A New Discovery

Alzheimer’s Research Links Amyloid Beta and Inflammation Through Shared Pathway

Alzheimer’s disease progressively destroys brain cells and teh connections between them, leading too memory ⁣loss. New research ⁤suggests a connection between two leading theories about the disease’s development: amyloid beta accumulation and chronic inflammation. A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on January 26, ⁣2026, indicates ⁣both factors may operate⁣ through the same molecular pathway.

Connecting ⁢Amyloid Beta and Inflammation

Researchers‍ at the Wu⁢ Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford University found that both amyloid ⁣beta and inflammation appear to converge on a specific receptor that signals neurons to eliminate synapses – the connections allowing brain cells to communicate. The study was led by Carla Shatz, the Sapp Family Provostial Professor, and first⁤ author⁤ Barbara Brott, a research scientist in Shatz’s laboratory.

The role of LilrB2

The research builds on previous work focused on the LilrB2 receptor. In 2006, Shatz⁢ and colleagues discovered that‍ the mouse version of LilrB2‍ is crucial for synaptic pruning, a normal brain development and learning process. Later, in 2013, Shatz’s ‍team demonstrated⁤ that amyloid beta can bind to LilrB2, ⁣triggering ‍neurons to remove synapses.

Experiments showed that genetically removing the LilrB2⁤ receptor protected mice from memory‍ loss in an Alzheimer’s disease model.The study also‍ investigated the role of inflammation and the complement cascade, a part of the immune system. The research received partial funding⁤ from a Catalyst Award from the Knight Initiative for Brain⁤ Resilience.