Alzheimer’s: Brain Erases Memories – A New Discovery
- Alzheimer's disease progressively destroys brain cells and teh connections between them, leading too memory loss.
- 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...
- The research builds on previous work focused on the LilrB2 receptor.
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.