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                                                          1. Home
                                                          2. Forschung
                                                          3. "Research Spotlight"

                                                          "Research Spotlight"

                                                          Ein Überblick über die wichtigsten Veröffentlichungen, mit kurzen Zusammenfassungen und Kommentaren der Autoren.
                                                           Research Spotlight - Anna-Sophia Wahl

                                                          Publication in Nature Communications, 2025

                                                          The survival of stable place cells is predictive of a good cognitive outcome after stroke

                                                          Cognitive decline is common following a stroke, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. A team of researchers have uncovered the role of place cells, and how a functional subclass of them are predictors of cognitive outcome after stroke.

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                                                           Spotlight Citation

                                                          Publication in Molecular Neurodegeneration, 2025

                                                          Alpha-Synuclein accelerates Aβ-driven tau accumulation and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease

                                                          A new study reveals that the protein α-Synuclein is more prevalent in advanced Alzheimer’s disease and that it accelerates amyloid-related tau accumulation. These findings show the need to consider α-synuclein in Alzheimer’s research and treatment strategies.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: photo of researcher with citation on impact of research

                                                          Publication in Nature Communications, 2025

                                                          MIF-2: An atypical chemokine connecting vascular inflammation to metabolic dysfunction in atherosclerosis

                                                          Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. A team of researchers shows that the protein MIF-2/D-DT acts as an atypical chemokine and a non-cognate ligand of CXCR4, which helps promote the development of atherosclerosis and inflammation in blood vessels. The study improves our understanding of how inflammation in blood vessels is connected to liver problems in atherosclerotic diseases and points out potential treatment pathways.

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                                                            Research Spotlight: photo of researcher with citation on impact of research

                                                          Publication in Science Translational Medicine, 2025

                                                          Alzheimer’s disease: Amyloid drives the spread of tau by evoking neuronal hyperconnectivity

                                                          The Amyloid Cascade model of Alzheimer’s disease suggests that plaques of amyloid-β (Aβ) are the primary cause of the disease and trigger other pathological changes, such as the spread of abnormal tau protein. The exact connection between amyloid and tau buildup is not clear. Researchers now found an essential piece to this puzzle: by analyzing PET and MRI imaging, they show that amyloid drives the spread of tau by evoking neuronal hyperconnectivity.

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                                                          Publication in Immunity, 2025

                                                          The HDAC9 risk locus controls inflammasome activation in atherosclerosis

                                                          The accumulation of amyloid-β plaques is known to initiate a pathological cascade that leads to neurodegeneration and dementia. How these plaques are formed is only partially understood. Here, we provide evidence that aggregation of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) together with amyloid-β within the lysosomal system of microglia may trigger the generation of amyloid-β plaques.

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                                                          Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in Immunology, 2024

                                                          Apolipoprotein E aggregation in microglia initiates Alzheimer’s disease pathology by seeding β-amyloidosis

                                                          The accumulation of amyloid-β plaques is known to initiate a pathological cascade that leads to neurodegeneration and dementia. How these plaques are formed is only partially understood. Here, we provide evidence that aggregation of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) together with amyloid-β within the lysosomal system of microglia may trigger the generation of amyloid-β plaques.

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                                                            Research Spotlight: photo of researcher with citation on impact of research

                                                          Publication in Cell Reports, 2024

                                                          Extracellular vesicles facilitate cellular communication and play key role in the development of the brain

                                                          Researchers conducted a study on extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are vesicles that transport bioactive molecules and deliver them to recipient cells in the brain. They have discovered that these vesicles facilitate specialized communication between different types of cells. These findings emphasize the crucial role of EVs in brain development and could potentially lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating neurological diseases in the future.

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                                                            Research Spotlight: photo of researcher with citation on impact of research
                                                          Urheberschaft ungeklärt

                                                          Publication in Science Immunology, 2024

                                                          MS TWIN uncovers role of CD8 T cells in early stages of multiple sclerosis

                                                          Researchers have compared a type of immune cells (CD8 T cells) of monozygotic twin pairs, where one twin has MS while the other shows no signs or subclinical signs of neuroinflammation. They found specific changes indicating that CD8-positive T cells play a crucial role in the early stages of multiple sclerosis. These findings can potentially open up new therapeutic avenues and could be used to develop improved diagnostic methods.

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                                                            Research Spotlight: photo of researcher with citation on impact of research

                                                          Publication in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 2024

                                                          New biomarker algorithm for detecting 4-repeat tauopathies

                                                          Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, in collaboration with Monash University Melbourne, have developed a novel biomarker algorithm that differentiates rare primary 4-repeat-tauopathies from Alzheimer’s disease with unprecedented precision. This innovative approach, which combines cerebrospinal fluid analysis with PET imaging, offers new insights into disease mechanisms and paves the way for advanced clinical trials.

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                                                          Publication in Immunity, 2024

                                                          Remyelination in the aged CNS activated by training the immune system

                                                          The central nervous system's decreased ability to regenerate as we age limits its ability to recover after demyelinating injuries, such as MS lesions. Researchers have now discovered that through training the immune system inactive microglia can be reprogrammed, restoring their ability to repair neuronal lesions.

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                                                          Publication in Nature, 2024

                                                          Mechanisms underlying recurrent atherosclerotic stroke uncovered

                                                          Recurrent strokes in the days and weeks after the initial event are a common problem in patients whose original cause was arteriosclerosis. An international team of researchers has uncovered the mechanisms underlying this process and proposed a new therapy involving DNase enzymes to break down cell-free DNA. If confirmed in humans, these findings could lead to improved stroke therapy.

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                                                          Publication in Cell, 2024

                                                          Stroke triggers epigenetic changes in immune system

                                                          A stroke not only causes immediate damage to the brain, but it can also have long-term health effects on other organs, such as the heart. In a recent study published in Cell, researchers demonstrate that persistent pro-inflammatory changes in myeloid cells after stroke play a direct role in the development of cardiac fibrosis, independent of other factors that can lead to cardiovascular issues.

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                                                          Publication in Nature Communications, 2024

                                                          Correcting mutations that cause hereditary stroke

                                                          Researchers have established three strategies to repair the function of mutant proteins causing CARASIL – a rare, genetic form of cerebral arteriopathy that leads to early-onset stroke and dementia. Their findings open perspectives for targeted protein repair.

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                                                          Publication in Nature Neuroscience, 2024

                                                          Amyloidosis triggers age-related oligodendrocyte and myelin damage

                                                          Age-related myelin damage leads to white matter inflammation, but its impact on chronic neurodegenerative diseases remains unclear. A recent study reveals that amyloidosis alone can cause age-related oligodendrocyte and myelin damage in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. The research team discovered that CD8 T cells contribute to neurodegenerative diseases associated with amyloidosis by abnormally activating microglia, resulting in myelin damage.

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                                                          Urheberschaft ungeklärt

                                                          Publication in Nature Neuroscience, 2024

                                                          Key mechanisms identified for improving astrocyte-to-neuron reprogramming

                                                          Researchers have made significant progress in unraveling novel mechanisms of glia-to-neuron conversion. Using novel methods in epigenome profiling, they identified that a posttranslational modification of the reprogramming neurogenic transcription factor profoundly impacts epigenetic rewiring and the improvement in neuronal programming. They identified a novel protein as key player in this conversion process, namely the transcriptional regulator YingYang1 that physically interacts with the neurogenic factor to open up the chromatin.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in Nature Aging, 2024

                                                          How the protein composition of brain endothelial cells changes with aging

                                                          Brain endothelial cells are critical components of the blood-brain barrier. They safeguard the central nervous system and their dysfunction is related to neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers have analyzed how the proteome of brain endothelial cells changes as we age, offering important insights into brain health.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in Nature Metabolism, 2024

                                                          A mechanistic connection between insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction

                                                          There is growing evidence that problems with insulin signaling play an important role in the development of neurodegenerative disease, but its exact mechanisms remain unclear. Researchers in a new study focusing on mitochondrial quality control identified a metabolic switch suggesting a mechanistic connection between insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in Nature, 2024

                                                          B cells promote tolerance against the neuromyelitis optica autoantigen AQP4

                                                          In patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), the immune system erroneously targets the AQP4 protein through the action of antibodies and T cells. Researchers have now uncovered the role of B cells in the thymus gland in this disease: these cells play a pivotal role in instructing T cells on their target for attack.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in eBioMedicine, 2024

                                                          MiniSWINE: a minipig model of demyelinating brain diseases

                                                          Researchers developed a new way to research inflammatory demyelinating diseases using minipigs. Their method is called miniSWINE: Minipig Stereotactic White-matter Injection using Navigation by Electromagnetism. Their method successfully models the changes observed in demyelinating and remyelinating lesions in human patients' brain. It can thus help to develop better diagnostic tools and treatments for diseases like multiple sclerosis.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in Nature Communications, 2024

                                                          Changes in synapses related to protein 43 (GAP-43) speed up the spread of tau in Alzheimer’s disease

                                                          A combined neuroimaging and biofluid biomarker study investigated whether synaptic changes are associated with accelerated tau spreading in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). They found that higher levels of the presynaptic protein GAP-43 speed up the spread of tau in AD. These findings are relevant for developing treatments to slow down the progression of the disease.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in Neuron, 2024

                                                          Replacing lost neurons: Influence of dysfunctional mitochondria on direct neuronal reprogramming uncovered

                                                          Mitochondria account for essential cellular processes – from energy production (ATP) to nucleotide metabolism. Dysfunction of mitochondria can lead to neurological disorders and contribute to developing diseases associated with aging. Researchers have now uncovered the role of dysfunctional mitochondria in direct neuronal reprogramming.

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                                                          Publication in Nature Medicine, 2023

                                                          Greater plasticity than expected: Astrocytes proliferate and acquire neural stem cell properties after brain injury

                                                          Glial cells play an important role in brain injuries; they can support brain function and react to the injury. Researchers found that astrocytes, a specific type of glial cells, proliferate and acquire neural stem cell properties after brain injury.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in Science Translational Medicine, 2023

                                                          A new therapeutic approach for atherosclerosis: the role of CXCR4 & microRNA

                                                          The chemokine receptor CXCR4 in vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells has a protective function for vessels. Researchers found a microRNA molecule that can regulate CXCR4, offering a promising starting point for new therapies.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in Neurology, 2023

                                                          Parkinson’s patients can benefit from a change of treatment when treatment options are exhausted

                                                          As Parkinson's progresses, more invasive therapies are used – for example, deep brain stimulation or pump therapies. When these no longer yield results, physicians often conclude that treatment options are exhausted. However, new research shows that such patients can still benefit from a change in treatment.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in Annals of Neurology, 2023

                                                          A genetic risk variant for multiple sclerosis severity is associated with brain atrophy

                                                          In a recent large study, researchers found two genes associated with MS disease progression. A new study now shows that one of these genes is associated with a loss of neurons and connections between neurons: people with this gene experienced 28% more brain shrinkage than those without it.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in The Lancet, 2023

                                                          The effect of antihypertensive drugs on small vessel disease

                                                          Results from a clinical trial show that different blood pressure medications have differential effects on the microvascular function in people with small vessel disease. The researchers found no differences for patients with sporadic small vessel disease but did find that two specific drugs resulted in improved function of cerebral blood vessels in patients diagnosed with CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) when compared to another antihypertensive drug.

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                                                           Research Spotlight: Photo of the researcher and a quote about the impact of the research

                                                          Publication in The Lancet, 2023

                                                          Decoding PET signals in brain tumors at the cellular level

                                                          A new method makes the signals of radioactive tracers in cells in the brain visible using positron emission tomography (PET). The method and its results are of great importance for the diagnosis and therapy development of brain tumors as well as for neurological diseases in general.

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                                                          SyNergy wird von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft im Rahmen der deutschen Exzellenzstrategie gefördert (EXC 2145 SyNergy - ID 390857198). Die Exzellenzstrategie fördert herausragende Forschung an deutschen Universitäten. 

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