EurekAlert! In the Spotlight - Alzheimer's Awareness Month

In honor of Alzheimer's Awareness Month, we’re exploring the science and stories surrounding Alzheimer’s disease.

Air pollution may directly contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

People with greater exposure to air pollution face a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study by Yanling Deng of Emory University, U.S.A., and colleagues, published February 17^th in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine.

Journal: PLOS Medicine

17-Feb-2026

JAX-NYSCF Collaborative and GSK announce collaboration to advance translational models for neurodegenerative disease research

Jackson Laboratory
Business Announcement

The Jackson Laboratory–New York Stem Cell Foundation Collaborative (JAX-NYSCF) today announced a five-year strategic research collaboration with GSK focused on advancing human cellular models of neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer’s disease.

17-Feb-2026

The good side of a side effect: New Houston Methodist study finds brain swelling during Alzheimer's treatment may signal strong response

Houston Methodist
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new Alzheimer’s treatment side effect that results in brain swelling may have an upside, according to a new study from Houston Methodist Research Institute. The research finds that beta amyloid – a protein that accumulates as plaques in the brain – may be cleared more in brain regions that had this side effect, signaling a stronger treatment response.

Journal: American Journal of Neuroradiology

16-Feb-2026

Researchers connect the dots between cause-effect events in Alzheimer’s disease

Baylor College of Medicine
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study reveals a path of cause-effect molecular events that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Researchers integrated postmortem human brain gene expression analyses with laboratory fruit fly studies. Their goal was to better understand how typical Alzheimer’s brain changes, such as the formation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, can lead to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Their cross-species approach revealed that some paths seem to aggravate the disease while others may protect against it.

Journal: Molecular Psychiatry

16-Feb-2026

Discover a new ‘cellular target’ to understand and treat alzheimer’s disease

University of Malaga
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from the NeuroAD group (Neuropathology of Alzheimer’s Disease) within the Department of Cell Biology, Genetics and Physiology at the University of Málaga, also affiliated with IBIMA–BIONAND Platform and CIBERNED, have made a pioneering breakthrough in the fight against this disease by identifying astrocytes as a promising cellular target for the development of future therapies.

Journal: Journal of Neuroinflammation

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

Latest News Releases

Air pollution may directly contribute to Alzheimer’s disease

JAX-NYSCF Collaborative and GSK announce collaboration to advance translational models for neurodegenerative disease research

The good side of a side effect: New Houston Methodist study finds brain swelling during Alzheimer's treatment may signal strong response

Researchers connect the dots between cause-effect events in Alzheimer’s disease

Discover a new ‘cellular target’ to understand and treat alzheimer’s disease

VR exam checks eye health and screens for early signs of Alzheimer’s