Could Clearing Aging Neurons Help Prevent Alzheimer’s?
New research from the Salk Institute sheds light on a promising path forward.
Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the most complex and devastating neurodegenerative disorders, with no known cure and no clear origin in more than 95% of cases. But groundbreaking research from the Salk Institute is helping change that narrative—with findings that suggest certain aging neurons may be key to both the cause and potential treatment of the disease.
In a study published in Cell Stem Cell, researchers demonstrated that neurons from Alzheimer’s patients undergo a form of cellular deterioration known as senescence—a stress-driven aging process more commonly associated with dividing cells like skin or immune cells. These deteriorating neurons don’t just break down quietly—they actively release inflammatory signals that trigger a cascade of brain-wide inflammation.
And here’s where it gets even more interesting: the researchers found that targeting these senescent neurons in a lab setting with a specific therapy actually eliminated them—resulting in improved conditions for the surrounding healthy brain cells.
What Is Neuronal Senescence?
Senescence is a natural part of cellular aging. But when cells stop functioning properly and don’t get cleared out, they can become toxic to their environment—releasing inflammatory factors and disrupting normal cellular behavior.
Traditionally, this process has been observed in dividing cells. But this study confirms that even non-dividing brain cells like neurons can enter a senescent state, especially in individuals with Alzheimer’s.
Why This Matters for Brain Health
The discovery that senescent neurons are a direct source of inflammation in the aging brain opens up a potential therapeutic window. According to the researchers, even a small number of these deteriorating neurons can have widespread consequences—because a single neuron forms thousands of connections across the brain.
Their team tested a drug combination (Dasatinib and Quercetin) on patient-derived neurons in the lab and successfully cleared the senescent cells. While this exact cocktail cannot cross the blood-brain barrier in patients, it paves the way for future research into similar compounds that can.
A Glimpse into the Future
This research emphasizes the importance of identifying and measuring neurological biomarkers, such as inflammation and cellular senescence—something we’re deeply committed to at True Flourishing. As tools like NeuroCatch and GlycoCheck help assess cognitive and microvascular health in real time, they support the type of early detection and prevention strategies that may one day align with breakthroughs like this.
We’re inspired by this work from the Salk Institute and look forward to seeing how it evolves. With each new discovery, the path to prevention becomes clearer—and the potential to preserve brain health, more powerful.
