Scientists have made a surprising discovery about a molecule called STING (stimulator of interferon genes) and its role in Alzheimer’s disease. STING is part of the brain's natural immune defense, but new evidence suggests that as we age, this molecule can become overactive, causing more harm than good. This overactivity may accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's by promoting inflammation and brain damage.
Recent studies from the University of Virginia have shown that by blocking STING, researchers were able to reduce the buildup of toxic plaques and tangles in mice, which are key features of Alzheimer’s disease. Even more impressive, the mice showed improved memory and less cognitive decline.
How STING and Alzheimer’s Disease Are Connected
As we age, our brain accumulates damage, including broken strands of DNA. STING normally detects this kind of damage and alerts the immune system to respond. But in older brains, this alert system can go into overdrive. Instead of helping, STING activation starts to inflame brain tissue and injure neurons.
The UVA team found that turning off STING’s signal reduced inflammation and helped brain cells function better in Alzheimer’s model mice. They noticed fewer harmful plaques, less neuron damage, and better memory performance. These findings could point to STING as a major driver of brain inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.
STING’s Potential Beyond Alzheimer’s
Could STING Be a Common Thread in Neurodegenerative Disease?
The effects of STING aren't limited to Alzheimer’s. Researchers believe this immune molecule could also play a role in other conditions like Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and certain types of dementia. That makes STING a very appealing target for developing new treatments across multiple neurodegenerative illnesses.
Importantly, STING's wide influence in the body means scientists will need to be cautious. Any new treatment would need to block STING’s harmful effects without disrupting its helpful role in fighting infections or cancer. But researchers are optimistic.
Why This Matters for the Future of Mental Health
There’s a growing urgency to find new treatments for Alzheimer’s. Over 7 million Americans are currently living with the disease, and that number is expected to nearly double by 2050. The discovery that STING and Alzheimer’s disease are connected could open the door to entirely new therapies that slow or even prevent damage before it begins.
While we’re still in the early stages of turning this research into real-world treatments, the discovery of STING’s involvement gives scientists a fresh, promising target. By focusing on the brain’s immune response, researchers may finally be able to change the course of Alzheimer’s—and potentially other brain diseases.
Discover more at interventionalpsychiatry.org
Citations
Thanos, J., Lukens, J.R., et al. (2025). STING deletion protects against amyloid β–induced Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. scitechdaily.com+8scienceblog.com+8neurosciencenews.com+8
University of Virginia Health. (2025, June 2). Immune Discovery Reveals Potential Alzheimer’s Solution. UVA Health Newsroom. insideprecisionmedicine.com+8newsroom.uvahealth.com+8news.med.virginia.edu+8
Read more topics from the Interventional Psychiatry News & Subscribe to our Newsletter
Editorial Disclaimer:
This article was produced using a combination of editorial tools, including AI, as part of our content development process. All content is reviewed by human editors before publication.