What if YOU’RE the problem? Dun dun dun!
This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science.
Normally, our immune system fights infections – and we love that – BUT one of its molecules actually makes Alzheimer’s worse. What to do?
Enter Shirin Schneeberger and team. They looked at molecule interleukin 12, or IL-12, and its effect on mice with Alzheimer’s. When they blocked IL-12, the mice had less buildup of brain waste, stronger brain cell connections, and better memory.
And it wasn’t just mice. When they looked at human Alzheimer’s patients, they found more IL-12 compared to those without the disease.
This suggests that some Alzheimer’s damage comes from the brain’s own overactive response.
These molecules need to CHILL MAN. Work smarter, not harder.
Reference: Schneeberger, S., Kim, S. J., Geesdorf, M. N., Friebel, E., Eede, P., Jendrach, M., Boltengagen, A., Braeuning, C., Ruhwedel, T., Hülsmeier, A. J., Gimber, N., Foerster, M., Obst, J., Andreadou, M., Mundt, S., Schmoranzer, J., Prokop, S., Kessler, W., Kuhlmann, T., Möbius, W., Nave, K.-A., Hornemann, T., Becher, B., Edgar, J. M., Karaiskos, N., Kocks, C., Rajewsky, N., & Heppner, F. L. (2025). Interleukin-12 signaling drives Alzheimer’s disease pathology through disrupting neuronal and oligodendrocyte homeostasis. Nature Aging, 5(4), 622–641. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-025-00816-2