Idolizing a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease
A hallmark feature of Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of a protein called β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. In their study, Choi et al. demonstrate that Idol, a protein linked to cholesterol metabolism, also has a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer’s-like disease in mice. Mice engineered to lack Idol were protected from developing Aβ deposits. The authors further showed that this protection was associated with better clearance of Aβ and apolipoprotein E by macrophage-like brain cells called microglia. This discovery suggests that the Idol pathway may be a therapeutic target for preventing the formation of Alzheimer’s disease lesions.
- Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science
