07/16/2025
Interesting. I hope it turn out to be the game changer.
Researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the University of São Paulo discovered that a brain protein called hevin, secreted by support cells known as astrocytes, can reverse memory decline in mice without removing the hallmark beta-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s.
Hevin plays a key role in synaptic plasticity, helping neurons form and maintain strong connections. When scientists boosted hevin production in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center, aged mice and Alzheimer’s-model mice showed significant improvements in learning and recall, even though the plaques remained unchanged. This suggests that cognitive decline may stem more from synaptic dysfunction than plaque buildup alone.
The study also found that hevin influenced dozens of proteins involved in neural communication, and confocal imaging confirmed stronger, more mature synapses in treated mice. While this research is still in early stages and limited to animal models, it opens the door to astrocyte-targeted therapies that could restore memory without needing to clear plaques.
