Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) affects over 50 million people globally and the AD-related death rate in Finland has nearly doubled in the past decade. Despite active research, there’s no cure for this disease. The elevated complement cascade of the immune system in AD brains contributes to the elimination of synaptic connections, crucial for brain function. However, the primary step in this pathway has remained elusive. Our research investigates the interplay between complement and neuronal ion transporters aiming to safeguard neurons from inflammatory-induced synapse loss. Dysregulation of complement may trigger the synapse loss leading to an imbalanced neurotransmission. Due to this novel approach, this study has the potential to open up new avenues for alternative treatments and drug discovery.

2024