Brain mapping study reveals two-phase progression of Alzheimer’s disease

According to findings from NIH’s BRAIN Initiative, Alzheimer’s disease may damage the brain in two distinct phases. The early phase is slow and silent, affecting just a few cell types before symptoms appear. The late phase is more destructive, coinciding with symptoms and rapid accumulation of plaques and tangles. Researchers analyzed 84 brains, identifying early damage to inhibitory neurons and confirming previous findings. This study fundamentally changes our understanding of Alzheimer’s and may guide new treatments.