Researchers report that blocking a receptor called P2X7 substantially lowered inflammation in human brain tissue. The finding suggests a new treatment strategy for conditions driven by neuroinflammation, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Because drugs that target P2X7 may already exist for other uses, the discovery could speed up efforts to repurpose them for neurological and psychiatric disorders. The authors note the approach might also apply to traumatic brain injury, though further work is needed to confirm its clinical potential.