Neural synchronization in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Electrical oscillations generated by neural circuits are disrupted in Alzheimer's disease. Restoring these oscillations in mouse models activates immune cells to clear disease-associated amyloid-β protein from the brain. See Article p.230 Disrupted gamma rhythms—oscillations in the brain's neuronal circuits at around 20–50 Hz—are hallmarks of various neurological disorders and have been seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease and specific mouse models of the disease. Li-Huei Tsai and colleagues show that gamma oscillations are also disrupted in the 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, and find reduced gamma prior to plaque formation and cognitive decline. Remarkably, by training neurons to oscillate at gamma frequency (40 Hz) in multiple mouse models including APP/PS1 and wild-type mice, amyloid-β peptide levels could be reduced.