Neuropsychologist and Alzheimer's researcher here. The linked article is way overstating the study findings. The summary conclusion according to the study investigators is: "Our findings suggest a...
Exemplary
Neuropsychologist and Alzheimer's researcher here. The linked article is way overstating the study findings. The summary conclusion according to the study investigators is: "Our findings suggest a link between genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease with microglial lipid droplet accumulation and neurotoxic microglia-derived factors, potentially providing therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease."
Nothing about the study suggests that fat deposition is the "root cause." Unfortunately, AD is not that simple. There are many pathological processes that occur, some affecting cognition directly, and some indirectly. We would love to find the root cause that sets the whole terrible deal into motion, but we are far from finding it. The headline would have been more accurate as "Re-examination of the role of long-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's suggests a mechanism for fat buildup, one of many pathologies that make up the disease."
It is definitely still work worth doing, but it's not the major paradigm shift we all want to see.
Neuropsychologist and Alzheimer's researcher here. The linked article is way overstating the study findings. The summary conclusion according to the study investigators is: "Our findings suggest a link between genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease with microglial lipid droplet accumulation and neurotoxic microglia-derived factors, potentially providing therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease."
Nothing about the study suggests that fat deposition is the "root cause." Unfortunately, AD is not that simple. There are many pathological processes that occur, some affecting cognition directly, and some indirectly. We would love to find the root cause that sets the whole terrible deal into motion, but we are far from finding it. The headline would have been more accurate as "Re-examination of the role of long-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's suggests a mechanism for fat buildup, one of many pathologies that make up the disease."
It is definitely still work worth doing, but it's not the major paradigm shift we all want to see.
30+ years, in fact!