Elina Svensson, PhD Candidate, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK, discusses the potential of targeting TREM2 as a novel therapeutic approach in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ms Svensson’s current work is focused on investigating antibody-mediated TREM2 stimulation to boost microglial responses in AD and a wealth of epidemiological, genetic, and pre-clinical evidence supports the validity of such an approach. Heterozygous variants in TREM2 are associated with a significant increase in AD risk, by conferring a loss of TREM2 function. In experimental models, loss of TREM2 function has been shown to cause impaired microglial activation, reduced phagocytosis, and increased neuritic dystrophy. Early evidence is beginning to show that TREM2 stimulation may have beneficial effects of microglial function, protecting against neuritic dystrophy and improving cognition in mouse models. This interview took place at the Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) Conference 2023 in Aberdeen, UK.
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