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Bone marrow cells in brain linked to Alzheimer

Overview

Researchers at Stanford University have reported that immune cells originating in the bone marrow can enter the human brain and resemble microglia. An initial pre‑print described the discovery in brain tissue from older adults and noted that clonal hematopoiesis—a condition where blood cells derive from a single stem cell—was associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer disease. A follow‑up report, published in Nature, expanded the findings, showing that aging is accompanied by a substantial influx of these bone‑marrow‑derived immune cells. Analysis of large genetic cohorts confirmed that individuals with specific clonal hematopoiesis mutations were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, suggesting a possible protective role.

Building on this, research involving the University of California, San Diego, UC Irvine, and the New York Genome Center identified a significant shift in brain immune cell composition occurring around age 50. By analyzing hippocampal tissue, scientists observed that resident microglia are increasingly replaced by immune cells entering from the bloodstream. These incoming blood-borne cells carry more pronounced inflammatory signals, which may contribute to chronic inflammation linked to cognitive decline. This research suggests a degradation of cells maintaining the blood-brain barrier alongside broader changes in DNA and gene activity.

Recent studies have further clarified these mechanisms. Utilizing somatic mutations as natural markers to track cell origins in 20 elderly individuals, researchers confirmed that human brain immune cells can be replenished by cells born in the blood. Additionally, new findings published in Science indicate that human brain cells undergo significant changes starting around age 50 regarding genome regulation. In the hippocampus, microglia decrease sharply between ages 50 and 75, being replaced by cells with molecular characteristics linked to higher inflammation.

Entities

Stanford University · University of California, Irvine · Julia Belk · New York Genome Center · Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Timeline

  1. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Brain cell regulation changes significantly from age 50

    Research published in Science shows that brain cell regulation and microglia levels change significantly starting at age 50, potentially contributing to neurodegenerative diseases.

  2. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Neurological research links neurogenesis to depression and aging to immune shifts

    New studies from Columbia and Stanford universities reveal that neurogenesis stalls in adults with major depression and that the human brain replenishes its immune defenses via blood cells during aging.

  3. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Brain immune cell composition shifts significantly around age 50

    Scientists have discovered that around age 50, brain immune cells (microglia) are increasingly replaced by blood-borne cells, potentially driving inflammation linked to Alzheimer's disease.

  4. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Stanford study shows aging drives immune cells into the brain

    Stanford researchers found that aging brings immune cells into the brain, overturning the view of a closed brain system and linking clonal blood mutations to lower Alzheimer’s risk; systemic diseases also alter

  5. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    Stanford Study Finds Bone Marrow Cells in Brain Influence Alzheimer

    Stanford researchers discovered bone‑marrow‑derived immune cells in the brains of older adults, forming a large share of microglia and linked to reduced Alzheimer risk, challenging previous mouse‑based views.

Sources

fehmarn24.de · kreiszeitung.de · lapresse.it · localwp.com · mariabode.nl · microbiologiaitalia.it · news-medical.net · newswise.com · nporadio1.nl · radiotitograd.me · sarajevo-x.com · tomshw.it · tz.de

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history