Scientists Discover “Molecular Switch” That Fuels Alzheimer’s Brain Inflammation

Scientists identified a chemical switch on STING, an immune protein, that appears to drive harmful brain inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.

In human-cell and mouse studies, S-nitrosylation at cysteine 148 made STING overactive and amplified inflammatory signaling linked to amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein.

Blocking this modification reduced inflammation and helped preserve synapses, suggesting a new therapeutic strategy to limit brain damage before it progresses.