For decades, Alzheimer’s disease research has focused almost exclusively on harmful proteins in the brain. But scientists at The University of Texas at San Antonio are taking a new approach to how the disease is understood and treated.
A recent study published in Nature Communications shows that certain lipids, fats that make up more than half of the brain, may play a bigger role in Alzheimer’s disease than previously thought.
Scientists from the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine and the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies found that loss of sulfatide, a specific type of lipid, may not only signal early Alzheimer’s disease, but also help drive it. The study reveals how sulfatide loss disrupts the brain and affects other parts of the body.
A new way of looking at Alzheimer’s
“This research helps answer the long-standing question of how inflammation and lipid changes are connected in Alzheimer’s disease,” said Sijia He, PhD, assistant in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology.
Working alongside Xianlin Han, PhD, professor in the Department of Medicine, and other UT San Antonio scientists, the team built on decades of work studying lipid biology. While most Alzheimer’s studies focus on amyloid and tau proteins, the research team found that lipid imbalance by itself can trigger damaging changes in the brain.
How lipid loss harms the brain
The UT San Antonio scientists discovered that when sulfatide levels drop, it activates certain brain cells called astrocytes, which can become harmful when overactive. This process happens even without the usual immune triggers linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
“This tells us lipid disruption is not just a side effect. It is a central driver of disease,” He said.
Effects beyond the brain
One of the team’s most surprising previous findings was that the impact of lipid loss was not limited to the brain.
In long-term studies, animal models with Alzheimer’s-like conditions also developed problems such as loss of bladder control, a symptom seen in late-stage Alzheimer’s in humans. Researchers traced this back to changes in the spinal cord, where lipid disruption interfered with nerve signaling. This suggests Alzheimer’s disease may be a disease of the whole body, not just the brain.
Why this matters for patients
By shifting the focus from proteins to lipids, this study’s findings open the door to new ways of diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s disease, especially in its early stages.
By exploring new ideas, like the role of lipids in Alzheimer’s disease, scientists are helping healthcare providers better understand the disease and its progression throughout the body. Better precision medicine and earlier interventions ultimately mean improved outcomes for patients.
“This study shows that changes in lipid metabolism can affect both the brain and the body. Understanding that connection may help us better track and treat Alzheimer’s over time,” He said.