USC researchers identify compounds targeting Alzheimer’s brain inflammation

Scientists at the University of Southern California have found experimental compounds that may reduce harmful brain inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The work focuses on the enzyme cPLA2 and people who carry the high-risk APOE4 gene.

Researchers at the University of Southern California identified compounds that selectively inhibit cPLA2, an enzyme tied to inflammation in the brain. The findings were published in the journal npj Drug Discovery in 2026. The team linked higher cPLA2 activity to greater Alzheimer’s risk among APOE4 carriers, though the enzyme also supports normal brain function.

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