Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have discovered a new link between APOE4 and Alzheimer’s disease. A study found that APOE4 increases the risk of the disease by compromising the function of brain cells known as astrocytes. APOE4 alters the composition of lipid droplets within astrocytes, which ultimately impairs their ability to clean up toxic lipids in the brain. This could explain the increased risk of Alzheimer’s associated with APOE4. The researchers are hopeful that this finding will lead to a better understanding of the role of lipids in neurodegenerative diseases, potentially leading to the development of effective therapeutics.
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Study pinpoints APOE4’s harmful effect on lipids
