Mice study breakthrough in brain disease research

Researchers in Belgium have successfully replaced defective brain immune cells (microglia) in mice – potentially a breakthrough in the treatment of brain diseases.

Microglia are essential for a healthy brain and originate early in development and are never replaced throughout life - their dysfunction has been linked to many diseases.

“That makes them special, but also vulnerable”, said Kiavash Movahedi, of EARA member VUB and senior author of the study published in Immunity.

The researchers used a specific type of blood cell - monocytes - to replace microglia in mice. The replacement microglia were still different at the molecular level but replicated the function of the original cells.

The results now lay a foundation for developing personalised cell therapies, using a patient’s own cells to replace defective microglia.

"The impact of neurodegenerative diseases is growing rapidly, and effective therapies are urgently needed” said Kiavash Movahedi.