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Alzheimer's Research

"Youth protein" TIMP2 that protects the brain discovered: new hope for Alzheimer's

Scientists at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York identified TIMP2, a protein that protects the brain's cleaner cells. The finding could open the way to new strategies against Alzheimer's.

Bora Haber

· 1 min read

Blue-toned brain MRI cross-section scans printed and hung side by side in a dark room.
Brain scans on display; research into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's continues. Photo: Temsili görsel

Scientists at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, USA, have identified a "youth protein" that protects immune cells in the brain. The discovery is seen as a possible path to new methods against brain aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Protecting the cleaner cells

According to experts, the protein called "TIMP2" keeps "microglia", known as the brain's cleaners, healthy.

In experiments, mice without TIMP2 showed weakened cellular waste clearance and rapid onset of brain inflammation. When old mice were given TIMP2, their cells regained their cleaning function and signs of brain inflammation decreased.

Although the results are promising, scientists stress that the work is still at an early stage. Even so, the protein is said to be able to pave the way for next-generation strategies in treating age-related neurological diseases, especially Alzheimer's.

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