Alzheimer's disrupts circadian rhythms of plaque-clearing brain cells

Alzheimer's disease disrupts the circadian rhythms of brain cells involved in clearing amyloid plaques, as shown in a study by researchers at WashU Medicine. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, found that the daily rhythms of genes in microglia and astrocytes were altered in mice with amyloid accumulations, impacting key brain functions. These findings suggest that targeting circadian rhythms in these brain cells could potentially be a way to treat Alzheimer's disease by preventing amyloid accumulation. Understanding and manipulating the circadian system may offer insights into optimizing brain function and combating the progression of the disease.