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Irisin attenuates astrocyte activation and rescues memory in Alzheimer model mice
Luana Heimfarth, Felipe Campos Ribeiro, Juliana T S Fortuna, Gustavo Trevizani Stelzer, Sergio Teixeira Ferreira. Alzheimer s & Dementia, 2025-12-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
We demonstrate that irisin promotes the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), α5 subunits of integrin receptors and LDH5α, and stimulates transient activation of ERK 1/2 in astrocytes. We further show that irisin attenuates memory impairments in an AD mouse model, and increases hippocampal expression of BDNF, GDNF and NGF in vivo. Our findings support the idea that physiological protection by irisin against synaptotoxic AβOs can be mediated by modulation of astrocyte-derived factors.
Key findings
- We demonstrate that irisin promotes the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), α5 subunits of integrin receptors and LDH5α, and stimulates transient activation of ERK 1/2 in astrocytes.
- We further show that irisin attenuates memory impairments in an AD mouse model, and increases hippocampal expression of BDNF, GDNF and NGF in vivo.
- Our findings support the idea that physiological protection by irisin against synaptotoxic AβOs can be mediated by modulation of astrocyte-derived factors.
Why it matters
In an Alzheimer's mouse model, irisin reduced astrocyte activation and improved memory, alongside increased levels of growth factors in the hippocampus. This is animal and cell work, so its relevance to treating people is unknown.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 33/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Alzheimer s & Dementia) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Alzheimer s & Dementia: journal h-index 228 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Laboratory or animal study (title names “mice”) — scores zero |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 1 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 1 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Sergio Teixeira Ferreira: h-index 74 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro: institution h-index 617 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 41439604) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 33 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1002/alz70855_104063
- PubMed: 41439604
- Original source →
- Free full text: Alzheimer s & Dementia →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Heimfarth, L., Ribeiro, F. C., Fortuna, J. T. S., Stelzer, G. T., & Ferreira, S. T. (2025). Irisin attenuates astrocyte activation and rescues memory in Alzheimer model mice. Alzheimer s & Dementia. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70855_104063
Vancouver
Heimfarth L, Ribeiro FC, Fortuna JTS, Stelzer GT, Ferreira ST. Irisin attenuates astrocyte activation and rescues memory in Alzheimer model mice. Alzheimer s & Dementia. 2025. doi:10.1002/alz70855_104063. PMID: 41439604.
BibTeX
@article{heimfarth2025-41439604,
author = {Heimfarth, Luana and Ribeiro, Felipe Campos and Fortuna, Juliana T S and Stelzer, Gustavo Trevizani and Ferreira, Sergio Teixeira},
title = {{Irisin attenuates astrocyte activation and rescues memory in Alzheimer model mice}},
journal = {Alzheimer s \& Dementia},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1002/alz70855_104063},
pmid = {41439604},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70855_104063}
}