Boost immunity

What if our immune system held the key to healing the brain?

For a long time, it was thought that the brain and the immune system were completely unrelated. Research by Aleksandra Deczkowska, a researcher at the Institut Pasteur, now shows that these two systems are in constant communication: an exchange that is essential for the brain to function properly throughout life.

In diseases such as Alzheimer's, this communication breaks down: immune signals become inappropriate and contribute to the progressive deterioration of brain function.

Her team's goal is to restore this dialogue by giving the immune system new instructions to help it protect and repair the brain. In particular, they are testing treatments already used clinically for other diseases—an approach inspired by cancer immunotherapies.

Stimulating our natural defenses to promote brain regeneration is a promising avenue of research, offering hope for better prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

In 2023, Aleksandra Deczkowska was awarded the Alzheimer Foundation's Joël Ménard Prize, which recognizes the excellence and innovation of her work.