Source: Research findings — University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Reporting: Dr. Avi Verma 

When the brain cleans itself

Just like a home needs regular cleaning, our brain also has to clear out harmful build-ups — except here, it’s toxic proteins rather than dust. Scientists at UCSF have discovered how the brain’s immune cells, called microglia, use a special receptor to break down amyloid-beta, the toxic protein responsible for Alzheimer’s disease.

This receptor, called ADGRG1, acts like a key that unlocks the microglia’s ability to “eat” and digest these protein clumps. When present, it helps keep symptoms mild; without it, toxic plaques accumulate rapidly, leading to memory loss and brain damage.

The experiments and findings

In an Alzheimer’s mouse model, researchers found that the absence of ADGRG1 led to faster plaque build-up, neuron damage, and severe learning and memory problems.

Dr. Xianhua Piao, MD, PhD, from UCSF’s Department of Pediatrics, explains:

“We believe this receptor helps microglia keep the brain healthy over many years.”

When scientists reanalyzed past human brain data, they found that people with mild Alzheimer’s had abundant ADGRG1 in their microglia, which kept the disease in check. In severe cases, however, the receptor was scarce, allowing plaques to spread unchecked.

A pathway to new treatments

ADGRG1 is part of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family — the same type of receptor targeted by many modern drugs. This opens the door for future medications that could “switch on” microglia in everyone, potentially slowing or preventing Alzheimer’s.

As Dr. Piao puts it:

“Some people are naturally born with responsible microglia. Now we have a chance to make them effective for everyone.”

Research team and funding acknowledgments

This study included Beika Zhu, Andi Wangzhou, Diankun Yu, Tao Li, Rachael Schmidt, Stacy L. De Florencio, Lauren Chao, Alicia L. Thurber, Minqi Zhou, Zeina Msheik, Yonatan Perez, Lea T. Grinberg, Salvatore Spina, Richard M. Ransohoff, Arnold R. Kriegstein, William W. Seeley, and Tomasz Nowakowski — all from UCSF.

Funding Sources:

• National Institutes of Health
• Consortium for Frontotemporal Dementia Research
• Tau Consortium
• Alzheimer’s Association
• Cure Alzheimer’s Fund
• BrightFocus Foundation

IndoUS Tribune insight: This discovery is not just a scientific breakthrough — it’s a ray of hope. Understanding and activating the brain’s own “clean-up crew” could be our strongest defense against Alzheimer’s in the years to come.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for concerns regarding Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive health, or any other medical condition.