
On the Cover
Illustration of brain inflammation from Alzheimer’s disease. Research suggests that chronic inflammation may be caused by the buildup of glial cells normally meant to help keep the brain free of debris. Microglia (purple), a type of glial cell, engulfs and destroys waste and toxins in a healthy brain. In Alzheimer’s, microglia fail to clear away waste, debris and protein collections, including beta-amyloid plaques. Astrocytes (blue), another type of glial cell, are signaled to help clear the buildup of plaques and other cellular debris left behind. These microglia and astrocytes collect around the neurons but fail to perform their debris-clearing function. In addition, they release chemicals that cause chronic inflammation and further damage the neurons they are meant to protect.
NIA