98%
921
2 minutes
20
Previous studies suggest glial and neuronal changes may trigger synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the link between their markers and synaptic abnormalities in the living brain remains unclear. We investigated the association between glial reactivity and synaptic dysfunction biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 478 individuals in cognitively unimpaired (CU) and cognitively impaired (CI) individuals. We measured amyloid-β (Aβ), phosphorylated tau (pTau181), astrocyte reactivity (GFAP), microglial activation (sTREM2), and synaptic markers (GAP43, neurogranin). CSF GFAP levels were associated with presynaptic and postsynaptic dysfunction, independent of cognitive status or Aβ presence. CSF sTREM2 levels were related to presynaptic markers in cognitively unimpaired and impaired Aβ+ individuals, and to postsynaptic markers in cognitively impaired Aβ+ individuals. Notably, CSF pTau mediated the relationships between GFAP or sTREM2 and synaptic dysfunction. Our findings, validated in two independent cohorts (TRIAD and ADNI), reveal a distinct pattern of glial contribution to synaptic degeneration.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12215965 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60806-1 | DOI Listing |
Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet
September 2025
The Central Lab, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is increasingly linked to immune dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are crucial in maintaining immune homeostasis, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ASD. However, their role in neuroimmune interactions and behavioral outcomes remains poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochem Biophys Rep
June 2025
Department of Public Health, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
Background: Synaptic dysfunction and synapse loss occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The current study aimed to identify synaptic-related genes with diagnostic potential for AD.
Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were overlapped with phenotype-associated module selected through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and synaptic-related genes.
Mol Psychiatry
September 2025
Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine and Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; and State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China. chenjg@hu
Dysfunction of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV-INs) in the cerebral cortex has been implicated in major depressive disorder. Perineuronal nets (PNNs), which encapsulate PV-INs, are considered to influence the structural and functional properties of PV-INs. Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) is a secreted protein constituent of PNNs, but the specific roles of Sema3A in modulating PV-INs during stress remain unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
September 2025
Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Juelich; Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 1, Juelich, Germany.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition associated with altered resting-state brain function. An increased excitation-inhibition ratio is discussed as a pathomechanism but in-vivo evidence of disturbed neurotransmission underlying functional alterations remains scarce. We compare local resting-state brain activity and neurotransmitter co-localizations between autism (N = 405, N = 395) and neurotypical controls (N = 473, N = 474) in two independent cohorts and correlate them with excitation-inhibition changes induced by glutamatergic (ketamine) and GABAergic (midazolam) medication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Neurosci
September 2025
Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, United States.
Presenilin mutations are the most common cause of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), but the mechanisms by which they disrupt neuronal function remain unresolved, particularly in relation to γ-secretase activity. Using , we show that the presenilin ortholog SEL-12 supports synaptic transmission and axonal integrity through a pathway involving the ryanodine receptor RYR-1. Loss-of-function mutations in either or reduce neurotransmitter release and cause neuronal structural defects, with no additional impairment in double mutants, suggesting a shared pathway.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF