Microglia protect against age-associated brain pathologies.

Microglia are brain-resident macrophages that contribute to central nervous system (CNS) development, maturation, and preservation. Here, we examine the consequences of permanent microglial deficiencies on brain aging using the Csf1r mouse model. In juvenile Csf1r mice, we show that microglia are dispensable for the transcriptomic maturation of other brain cell types.

Connexins and blood-brain barrier: Beyond the gap.

In this issue of Neuron, Zhan, Meng, et al. explore the non-canonical roles of connexin-43 in brain endothelial cells and connect its faltering expression to the depletion of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), mitochondrial stress, and blood-brain barrier rupture.

How Do Modifiable Risk Factors Affect Alzheimer's Disease Pathology or Mitigate Its Effect on Clinical Symptom Expression?

Epidemiological studies show that modifiable risk factors account for approximately 40% of the population variability in risk of developing dementia, including sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent findings suggest that these factors may also modify disease trajectories of people with autosomal-dominant AD. With positron emission tomography imaging, it is now possible to study the disease many years before its clinical onset.

A Scoping Review on Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Small Vessel Disease: Molecular Insights from Human Studies.

Small vessel disease (SVD) is a highly prevalent disorder of the brain's microvessels and a common cause of dementia as well as ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes. Though much about the underlying pathophysiology of SVD remains poorly understood, a wealth of recently published evidence strongly suggests a key role of microvessel endothelial dysfunction and a compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the development and progression of the disease. Understanding the causes and downstream consequences associated with endothelial dysfunction in this pathological context could aid in the development of effective diagnostic and prognostic tools and provide promising avenues for potential therapeutic interventions.