Researchers at Texas A&M University are investigating how disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms may contribute to the development of dementia, with new work focusing on the role of brain immune cells and inflammation.
One of the funded studies led by Karienn Souza, PhD, at the Texas A&M University College of Medicine. Her research examines how long-term disruption of circadian rhythms, such as that experienced by shift workers, may accelerate cognitive ageing and increase dementia risk.
Using an animal model, Souza and colleagues investigated how chronic disruption of sleep–wake cycles affects the brain’s immune system. Their findings indicate that circadian dysregulation leads to activation of microglia, immune cells responsible for maintaining brain health and clearing cellular debris.
Under normal conditions, microglia have a branched structure that allows them to monitor and protect neural tissue. However, the researchers observed abnormal “stress-primed” microglia with altered branching patterns, suggesting that the cells may become dysfunctional under prolonged circadian disruption. When microglia do not function normally, harmful substances such as damaged cells and amyloid plaques may accumulate, potentially contributing to neurodegeneration.
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Souza’s new project will investigate whether an experimental extracellular vesicle therapy developed by Ashok Shetty, PhD, could help prevent or reverse this inflammatory response. The therapy involves nanoscale vesicles derived from stem cells that carry proteins capable of delivering anti-inflammatory signals to microglia, helping them maintain their normal protective role.
By examining how environmental factors influence brain inflammation, the researchers hope to better understand the mechanisms linking irregular sleep patterns with dementia risk and identify potential strategies to slow disease progression.
This news item has been summarised using AI and checked by humans before publication.
Sources
Vital Record – Texas A&M Health
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