Chaitali Anand, PhD, University of California San Francisco, explains that of the three types of non-neuronal cells, microglia have been discussed most when examining Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Dr Anand explains how microglia have a homeostatic phenotype but can become activated during AD and contribute to its pathology, with the main marker of activated microglia being TREM2. Dr Anand examined data from mouse models of tauopathy, finding that differences in gene expression between homeostatic and activated microglia differently affect tau network diffusion, as modeled in an extended Network Diffusion Model. She continues by explaining that she is hoping to apply the model to human data next, and furthermore that astrocytes and oligodendrocytes should be modeled alongside microglia in the future. This interview took place during the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), 2021
