New Pathway That Protects Against Alzheimer's Protein Buildup Found

Senior woman reading a book

Photo by Clément Falize on Unsplash

Based in Miami, Brian Sidman guides BAS Holdings Investments, LLC, where he provides solutions in the areas of real estate acquisition and asset management. With a strong community focus, Brian Sidman previously held responsibilities on the board of a nonprofit foundation that provided financial support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

Researchers at the St. Jude Department of Immunology were recently involved in research that yielded a new pathways that prevents Alzheimer's protein buildup. Also enabling the regulation of inflammation, the pathway involves microglial cells that are the central nervous system and brain’s primary immune cell source, and is known as LC3-associated endocytosis (LANDO). 

Activating LANDO can help prevent deposits of the neurotoxic β-amyloid protein and safeguard against neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, which are tied to memory problems. In addition, inhibiting the pathway may be a strategy for boosting cancer immunotherapy results. 

The study results were described as reflecting a situation where “you never know where science will lead,” as the project was initially focused on immune responses among children against cancer.