In Alzheimer’s disease, proteins like amyloid beta form clumps, known as plaques, that damage the brain.

But in some people, immune cells called microglia break down these proteins before they can cause harm. This leads to fewer and smaller clumps—and much milder symptoms.

Researchers at UC San Francisco identified a molecular receptor that enables microglia to gobble up and digest amyloid beta plaques. The findings are published in the journal Neuron.