When you think of Alzheimer’s disease, you likely think of the brain. But Alzheimer’s may not be primarily a disease of the brain. It might be an autoimmune condition: a disease of the immune system within the brain. It’s an approach that moves beyond the beta-amyloid focus that, until it recently came under scrutiny, was the focus of much Alzheimer’s disease.

Today in The Conversation Canada, Donald Weaver of the University of Toronto explains the evidence for Alzheimer’s disease as an autoimmune condition. The beta-amyloid proteins still play a role, but they are not an invasive foreign presence. Rather, they are a natural part of the brain’s immune system. However, they might sometimes have difficulty telling friend from foe:

“Because of striking similarities between the fat molecules that make up both the membranes of bacteria and the membranes of brain cells, beta-amyloid cannot tell the difference between invading bacteria and host brain cells, and mistakenly attacks the very brain cells it is supposed to be protecting.”

Also today:

• Bollywood film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ paints an ambivalent picture of sex workers’ rights
• Canadian scientists made life-saving contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Why women’s studies programs in Canada are more important than ever

Regards,