Paul Schulz
Title
The immune system in Alzheimer’s disease: Friend or foe?Â
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid plaque deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, vascular changes, free radical production, and immune system activation. Increasing evidence suggests that neuronal loss in AD is strongly linked to immune system activation, particularly by microglia and astroglia. While these cells attempt to combat plaques and tangles, they inadvertently cause harm, leading to bystander neuronal death. Additionally, conditions that activate the immune system, such as infections or sepsis, can accelerate AD progression—making immune activation a foe in this context.
Conversely, immune system activation can also act as a friend in AD treatment. Anti-amyloid antibody therapies, which stimulate the immune system to clear plaques, significantly slow cognitive decline. Furthermore, routine viral and bacterial vaccinations appear to reduce AD risk, potentially by activating the peripheral immune system while suppressing CNS immune responses. This immune inactivation may be protective against AD.
Thus, the immune system plays paradoxical roles—both friend and foe—depending on the circumstances of its activation or suppression. This discussion will explore the data behind these opposing effects and speculate on mechanisms driving the immune system’s dual roles in AD.
Biography
Paul Schulz, M.D., is a professor of neurology at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).
He received his combined BA-MD degrees from Boston University in 1984. He did a medical internship there, and moved to Baylor College of Medicine for his residency in Neurology. He stayed for a laboratory fellowship in cellular neurophysiology after which he became an assistant professor.
Later, he was an associate professor of neurology, neuroscience, and translational biology and molecular medicine. Dr. Schulz was also the vice chair of education for neurology, the deputy chair of the Methodist neurology service, and directed the Cognitive Disorders Clinics at Baylor and the Houston Veterans Administration Hospital.
Dementia Program
In 2010, Dr. Schulz moved to Mischer Neuroscience Institute, where he sees patients who have cognitive, behavioral, or mood disorders. His group is investigating risk factors for dementia in order to understand why it develops, including both environmental and genetic factors.
They use imaging, epidemiologic, and genetic approaches and have identified several risk factors. They are also investigating ways to diagnose dementia earlier, perhaps before symptoms develop, in order to determine whether interventions in the presymptomatic stage might delay or prevent the development of dementia.
His group has early data suggesting that the treatment of some risk factors may reduce the probability of developing dementia. Dr. Schulz has received numerous awards and has been an invited speaker at major scientific meetings worldwide. He has been extensively published in the scientific literature and has been featured on television and radio shows.