Schizophrenia’s genetic architecture sits awkwardly between neurons and the immune system. A 2026 CRISPR screen of 30 schizophrenia-associated genes in human microglia-like cells found that several risk genes meaningfully alter how microglia engulf synaptic material, supporting the synaptic-pruning model at the functional gene level.1 Research Highlights 30 schizophrenia risk genes were knocked out one by …
A 2026 AB10015 post-hoc preprint reported 42.3% 5-year survival from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis symptom onset among patients originally assigned to masitinib 4.5 mg/kg/day with riluzole. The number is large for ALS, but the long-term comparison is historical and modeled rather than randomized placebo follow-up.1 Research Highlights 42.3% reached 5 years from onset: Ludolph et al. …
A 2026 single-cell and spatial-transcriptomics study of 21,156 brain immune cells found that late amyloid disease shifted interferon-driven neuroinflammation from microglia toward plaque-associated CD8 T cells, with T-cell frequency strongly tracking total amyloid deposits (Spearman rho = 0.844, p < 0.0001).1 The result does not turn Alzheimer’s disease into an autoimmune disease, but it makes …
A 2026 Nature Neuroscience study found that lecanemab cleared amyloid in a humanized-microglia Alzheimer’s disease model only when microglia and the antibody’s intact Fc fragment were both present: X-34 plaque area differed across IgG1, lecanemab, and Fc-silenced LALA-PG groups (P = 0.0003), 82E1 plaque area differed across groups (P < 0.0001), and microglia-deficient mice showed …
CRISPR-Cas9 technology, a powerful tool for gene editing, has made significant strides in therapeutic applications, especially within the central nervous system (CNS). A recent study highlights the potential of non-viral delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) into the mouse striatum, offering a promising alternative to viral vector-based delivery. Highlights: Non-Viral Delivery of CRISPR-Cas9: The study focuses …
In the quest to understand the intricate relationship between our diet, brain, and behavior, scientists are turning their focus to a unique receptor, GPR120. This protein, known for interacting with long-chain fatty acids like omega-3s, is shedding new light on how our body’s inflammation and metabolism can directly affect our mental health. By exploring GPR120’s …
Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative condition, is influenced significantly by a blend of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. New research focuses on environmental risk factors and microglia (the brain’s immune cells) for Alzheimer’s development. Highlights: Alzheimer’s Disease and Microglia: Alzheimer’s is characterized by cognitive decline, and microglia play a crucial role in its pathogenesis, acting …