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Updated: May 5, 2026

Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling q3DISM of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease
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Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling q3DISM of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: December 26, 2016

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Decoding microglial functions in Alzheimer's disease: insights from human models

Chandrika Rao1, Stefan Semrau1, Valentina Fossati1

  • 1The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA.

Trends in Immunology
|March 20, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Human cell models reveal unique microglial responses in Alzheimer's disease (AD), offering new therapeutic targets. These advanced models improve our understanding of neuroinflammation and amyloid plaque interactions in AD progression.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Stem Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microglia are central to brain immune responses and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology.
  • Traditional animal models do not fully replicate human-specific microglial behavior in AD.
  • Advancements in human cell models are crucial for understanding AD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of emerging human models in studying microglia in Alzheimer's disease.
  • To highlight human-specific microglial responses to AD pathology.
  • To explore new therapeutic avenues targeting microglia.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing stem cell-derived microglia and cerebral organoids.
  • Analyzing human-specific microglial responses to amyloid plaques.
  • Investigating the regulation of neuroinflammation in advanced human models.

Main Results:

  • Human models reveal unique microglial responses to amyloid plaques, distinct from animal models.
  • These models elucidate the regulation of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.
  • Advanced models provide deeper insights into the complex roles of microglia in AD.

Conclusions:

  • Innovative human models are essential for understanding Alzheimer's disease.
  • These models offer new perspectives on microglial function and neuroinflammation.
  • Targeting microglia presents promising therapeutic strategies for AD.
Keywords:
Alzheimer's diseasehuman in vitro modelsinduced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)microgliasingle-cell technologies

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