Dementia Japan 36:401-407, 2022

Phagocytosis and clearance of abnormal proteins from the brain in dementia

Hiroyuki Takuwa

Neuromapping and Neuromodulation Group, Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology

In Alzheimer’s disease, the accumulation of amyloid β and abnormal tau in the brain acts as a trigger for neuroinflammation and cerebral atrophy.　Abnormal proteins accumulated in brain are phagocytosed by activated microglia and excreted by the flow of water in the gymphatic system.　In this article, the author discusses biological phenomena that occur after the accumulation of amyloid β and tau in the brain.

Address correspondence to Dr. Hiroyuki Takuwa, Neuromapping and Neuromodulation Group, Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan)