Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by changes in both metabolism and inflammation. Notably, the E4 allele of Apolipoprotein E (APOE)—the strongest genetic risk factor for AD—is also associated with both metabolic dysfunction and a heightened pro-inflammatory response. This translational study will use state-of-the-art methods to determine whether E4 drives AD risk by affecting metabolism within microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. If successful, our studies could provide new therapeutic targets to help “normalize” brain metabolism, thus potentially preventing or delaying the onset of AD in high-risk individuals.
