TDP-43 is one of a small number of proteins that can become altered in ways that lead to the formation of solid aggregates that, directly and indirectly, cause cell dysfunction and death in the brain. In the case of TDP-43, this proteopathy contributes to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal … Read more
The hippocampus in the brain is vital to cognitive functions involving learning and memory. In today’s open access paper, researchers review the evidence for the hippocampus to be particularly vulnerable to damaging mechanisms, including those involved in aging. It is tentatively suggested that physiological and biochemical differences in the … Read more
The blood-brain barrier is a layer of specialized cells wrapping blood vessels that pass through the brain. Only certain molecules and cells are admitted. The metabolism of the brain is thus isolated from that of the rest of the body. In particular, the immune system of the brain is … Read more