Genetic Insights Reveal Microglial Changes and Lipid Droplet Accumulation in Alzheimer’s Risk

TL;DR Summary
The study identifies a functional Alzheimer's disease risk variant in the PICALM gene that disrupts PU.1 binding, reduces PICALM expression in microglia, leading to increased lipid droplet accumulation, lysosomal dysfunction, and impaired phagocytosis, which may contribute to disease pathology.
- PICALM Alzheimer’s risk allele causes aberrant lipid droplets in microglia Nature
- These scientists found Alzheimer’s in their genes. Here’s what they did next : Shots - Health News NPR
- Genetic variant disrupts brain’s cleanup crew increasing Alzheimer’s risk News-Medical
- Study Reveals Changes in Microglial Gene Activity Across Alzheimer’s Stages geneonline.com
- Scientists react to the news that their genes put them at high risk for Alzheimer's Maine Public
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