Somatostatin in brain regulates immune cells to mitigate dementia, opening path for treatment with existing drugs

MedicalXpress | avr. 09, 2026

A research team led by Professor Jiwon Um from the Center for Synapse Diversity and Specificity at DGIST has discovered a mechanism by which somatostatin, a brain neurotransmitter, directly regulates brain immune cells to alleviate Alzheimer's disease. This study is expected to provide a strong foundation for repurposing existing medications for dementia treatment by shifting brain immune cells that worsen the condition into a "protective mode." The research is published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.