Pathological mechanism of dementia caused by aging of brain immune system

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19432
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 51:Brain sciences and related fields
• Research Institution: National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Tanabe Shogo 国立研究開発法人国立精神・神経医療研究センター, 神経研究所 神経薬理研究部, 室長 (40772166)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 認知症 / 免疫系

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by a decline in cognitive function, with aging being a major risk factor. However, the impact of aging on the pathophysiology of AD in relation to the immune system remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of immune aging on AD pathophysiology and its underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that aged brain macrophages accelerate AD pathology by increasing the expression of Nlrp3.

Free Research Field

分子神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

免疫系の老化がADの病態を規定する主要な因子であると示されることで、これまで解明されてこなかった老化によるADの病態形成機序を解明できる。ADに限らず、神経変性疾患は高齢者に多い傾向にある。免疫老化がADのリスクファクターの本質であると示されることで、他の神経変性疾患の病態解明や治療法開発も繋がる可能性を秘める。