Cornell researchers discovered that brain immune cells, called microglia, can partially break down Alzheimer’s amyloid plaques using a process called digestive exophagy. The cells latch onto large plaques, release enzymes externally, and slowly digest them.
While microglia can degrade plaques, they may also unintentionally spread smaller amyloid fragments to other brain regions. This dual role could explain how plaques continue to form despite microglial activity.
The findings offer insights into Alzheimer’s progression and may guide future therapies to enhance microglia’s plaque-clearing efficiency.
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