Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. It happens when two abnormal proteins (called amyloid and tau) build up in the brain and damage nerve cells. Scientists believe that the brain’s immune cells, called microglia, may play an important role in how Alzheimer’s develops. However, it has been very difficult to study these cells in living people.

This project takes advantage of a unique opportunity. It uses tiny brain samples collected during surgery from people with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition where too much fluid builds up in the brain. During surgery to drain this fluid, small samples of brain tissue can be safely taken. Many people with NPH show early changes in the brain that look similar to Alzheimer’s disease. This allows researchers to study early stages of Alzheimer’s in living brain tissue. These samples will also be compared with donated brain tissue from BRAIN UK.

The study will closely examine the chemical features of the amyloid and tau proteins. It will also look at how microglia change their shape and behaviour as these proteins build up, using specialised techniques to identify and measure them.

By understanding how the brain’s immune cells respond to these abnormal proteins, the research aims to clarify how inflammation may contribute to the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. It also hopes to identify new markers that could help with earlier diagnosis or point to new treatments that might slow or prevent the disease from progressing.