How Past Infections May Rewire the Brain- and Influence Alzheimer’s Disease Risk скачать в хорошем качестве

How Past Infections May Rewire the Brain- and Influence Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

Growing evidence suggests that Alzheimer’s disease may be shaped not only by age and genetics, but by the immune system’s long-term memory of infection. In the latest episode of Pathobiome Perspectives, host Ali Moresco speaks with Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Bradshaw, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Principal Investigator of the Bradshaw Laboratory: Neuroimmunology and Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Bradshaw’s research explores how past infections leave lasting imprints on the brain’s immune system, increasing vulnerability to neurodegeneration years, or even decades, later. Large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed that many genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s are linked to immune system pathways, not just neurons. This discovery has shifted research toward understanding how immune cells in the brain respond to infection, inflammation, and environmental stress across a lifetime. At the center of this work are microglia- AKA the brain’s resident immune cells. Dr. Bradshaw’s lab uses human-derived microglia-like cells created from blood monocytes to study how pathogens influence immune behavior. By exposing these cells to Alzheimer’s-associated pathogens such as HSV-1 (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1), her team examines how genetic background and infection history shape immune responses. Their findings suggest that infections can epigenetically and metabolically reprogram microglia, altering how they respond to aging, stress, and amyloid buildup long after the infection has cleared. “Microglia remember,” Dr. Bradshaw explains. “Even after the pathogen is gone, they carry its imprint—responding differently decades later when the brain faces new challenges.” Reframing Alzheimer’s as a neuroimmune disease Dr. Bradshaw’s work reframes Alzheimer’s as a neuroimmune disease, shaped by the interaction between genetics, infection, and immune memory. Understanding how immune cells are “trained” by past infections could transform early detection and prevention strategies- making it possible to identify risk and intervene long before symptoms appear. This research also reinforces a critical message for patients affected by chronic and persistent infections: the immune system’s history matters, and its long-term impact on brain health may be one of the most overlooked factors in neurodegenerative disease. 🎧 Watch new episodes every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. CT, right here on YouTube. Subscribe for new episode notifications. 🔬 Watch or listen at: https://tickbootcamp.com/ Subscribe to Tick Boot Camp for new episode notifications: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Lymedisease.org Subscribe to Lymedisease.org for new episode notifications via email: https://www.lymedisease.org/sign-up-l... 🧠 Join the conversation on Instagram: @AliTMoresco: / alitmoresco ⁨@TickBootCamp⁩ : / tickbootcamp @Lymetimes: / lymetimes Pathobiome Perspectives was developed in collaboration with the Pathobiome Research Center at PCOM, led by Founding Director Nikki Schultek, and Director Dr. Brian Balin and the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging (CCDA). This event was made possible through the joint support of these two PCOM Centers! Learn more about the Pathobiome Research Center at PCOM: https://www.pcom.edu/research/pbrc/ / philadelphia-college-of-osteopathic-medicine https://www.pcom.edu/campuses/philade... DISCLAIMER This content reflects the personal opinions and experiences of Ali Moresco and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Neither Ali Moresco nor the publishers of this content assume responsibility for any potential health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information provided.