AdvertisementHow a hyperactive cell in the brain might trigger Alzheimer's diseaseJanuary 30, 2022Bret StetkafacebookEmailMicroglia, specialized cells like the one seen in the center of this image, can restrain the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein (plaques in orange) that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. But the cells sometimes contribute to the progression of the illness, researchers say. (Juan Gaertner/Science Source)