Targeting the immune system towards novel therapeutic avenues to fight brain aging and neurodegeneration

The incidence of age-related dementia is growing with increased longevity, yet there are currently no disease-modifying therapies for these devastating disorders. Studies over the last several years have led to an evolving awareness of the role of the immune system in supporting brain maintenance and repair, displaying a diverse repertoire of functions while orchestrating the crosstalk between the periphery and the brain. Here, we provide insights into the current understanding of therapeutic targets that could be adopted to modulate immune cell fate, either systemically or locally, to defeat brain aging and neurodegeneration.

Automated summary

The incidence of age-related dementia is increasing, but there are currently no effective treatments available. Recent studies have shown that the immune system plays a crucial role in supporting brain maintenance and repair, and modulating immune cell fate may be a potential therapeutic target for combating brain aging and neurodegeneration.