Gel turns brain support cells into neurons, hinting at Alzheimer's therapy but still early-stage

Scientists report a polymer gel that carries a PTBP1-targeting antibody across the blood-brain barrier to astrocytes, converting them into neurons in cell cultures and brain organoids; in Alzheimer’s-model mice, this treatment correlated with more neurons, reduced inflammation, and improved memory in behavioral tests, though in vivo neuronal conversion remains unconfirmed and extensive safety and primate studies are still needed before any human trials.