From gene expression to brain signaling imbalances, studies bring us closer to better diagnosis and treatment
SAN DIEGO — Researchers are shedding light on neural mechanisms underlying the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings were presented at Neuroscience 2025, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world’s largest source of emerging news about brain science and health.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to symptoms including cognitive decline, memory loss, and the inability to perform daily functions. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it’s estimated that 6.9 million Americans were living with AD in 2024; that number is expected to increase. Scientists are working to understand the signs of early disease in the brain before more severe pathologies, including amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, emerge.
At the Press Conference, our own Guoshi Li, Research Assistant Professor, presented to the media how the differences in neuronal excitation-inhibition (E-I) balance can differentiate human subjects with stable mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from those whose MCI progresses to AD, potentially enabling MCI-to-AD prediction. Out of over 10,000 abstracts submitted to the meeting, fewer than 50 were offered the prestigious opportunity of speaking directly to the media.
“As exciting as it is to see new disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s becoming available, it’s equally important that we empower people with knowledge and tools to protect their own brain health. Evidence-based lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and support long-term cognitive health,” said Sharyn Rossi, PhD, senior director of neuroscience programs at BrightFocus Foundation and moderator of the press conference. “Our role is not only to advance treatments, but also to ensure the public understands the steps they can take today to safeguard their brain health.”