The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, President Lee Ho Seong) has developed a diagnostic platform that amplifies the unique optical signals of molecules by more than a hundred million times, enabling the precise detection and quantification of trace amounts of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in body fluids.

For decades, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research has focused on its visible villains—amyloid plaques and tau tangles. But beneath the surface, another player may be quietly steering the disease’s course: lipid metabolism. Lipids, the essential substances that build and fuel the brain, are proving to be powerful influencers of disease progression. When their balance falters, harmful proteins accumulate, synapses weaken, and inflammation spreads. This new review pulls together cutting-edge findings that link genetic risk factors, like APOE4, to disrupted cholesterol transport, faulty fat storage, and poor lipid clearance—unveiling a hidden layer of AD biology and pointing toward untapped therapeutic strategies.

Not all blood vessels play equal roles in brain health. To uncover how the brain regulates its complex circulation, researchers built a detailed computer model of mouse brain vasculature. Focusing on transitional zone vessels—crucial links between arteries and capillaries—the model simulates how each segment adjusts like a tiny valve. It reveals how the brain stabilizes blood flow during pressure shifts or heightened activity, offering new insights into brain protection and potential breakthroughs in diagnosing stroke, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injuries.