The brain's immune cells are increasingly recognized as key players in Alzheimer's disease, but exactly how they change as the disease develops has remained unclear. A new study published in Nature Genetics [DOI: https://10.1038/s41588-026-02716-6] provides the most comprehensive map to date of these cells, identifying a protective subtype of brain immune cell that expands as Alzheimer's disease progresses and uncovering the molecular pathway that enables these cells to help defend the brain.

Researchers have identified seven proteins in the blood that could enable better blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease. A study shows that using a broader panel of markers provides a clearer picture of the disease and allows for more accurate future treatment choices.

The first complete genome of the common marmoset is available to the scientific community, thanks to the efforts of researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz Genomics Institute, providing a high-quality resource to study neurodegenerative diseases and other human health conditions.