Mouse Study Finds Female Microglia Mount Stronger Interferon Response in Alzheimer’s

Overview

• University of Rochester researchers report that in 5xFAD mice, female microglia express more interferon-related genes when responding to amyloid-β plaques.
• Female microglia leave larger, more irregular residual plaques that correlate with greater damage to nearby synapses, and the interferon-responsive cells were taking up more amyloid-β.
• The team found no differences across estrous cycle stages, indicating routine hormonal fluctuations did not explain the observed sex effects.
• Authors hypothesize that nucleic acids encountered during plaque consumption could trigger a virus-like interferon response, but causality and human relevance remain unproven.
• The study highlights microglial interferon signaling as a candidate for sex-specific therapeutic exploration, noting that over seven million Americans have Alzheimer’s and roughly two-thirds of those diagnosed are women.