Microglial Inflammation in
Alzheimer’s Disease
● Neurons transmit
information through (de Heer, 2013)
synapses
Normal Physiology
What if?
(Bee, 2014)
Normal Physiology
● Microglia are the
immune cell of the
CNS
○ Ramified (resting)
○ Active
■ Cytokines
■ ROS
■ Proteases
(Roselyne Chauvin, 2017)
Normal Physiology
● Amyloid beta (Aβ) protein works with
microglia
μG Aβ
○ Activate kinase enzymes
○ Protect against oxidative stress
○ Regulate cholesterol transport
○ Regulate antimicrobial activity
Pathophysiology
● Aβ misfolds and forms
plaques
● Membrane receptors of
neurons and astrocytes
affected
● Produces more ROS
(Alz.org, 2011)
(pixta.com)
Clinical Presentation
● Memory impairment
● Mild Cognitive
Impairment (with
amnesia)
● Dementia
● Difficult to diagnose
(Brookmeyer, R., Corrada, M.M., Currlero, F.C., & Kawas, C., 2002)
So What Do We Need?
So What Do We Need?
1. Reduction in
microglial activation
2. Clearance of Aβ
plaques
Anti-Inflammatory
NSAIDs
(Schreiber, 2016)
Make Flurbiprofen Lipid-Soluble
Flurbiprofen reduces microglial inflammation (Prosperi, et al., 2004)
● Orally Safe
EPPS
● Crosses BBB