Agent-based Modeling of Microglia Metabolic Pathways: Implications in Alzheimer’s Disease

Presentation Year

2025

College or Department

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Short Description of your Research or Creative Project (700 characters or less)

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurological disorder that destroys memory and other cognitive functions. Several scientific findings have connected dysfunctional microglia, a type of immune cell, to AD progression. We created an agent-based model to simulate the interactions between microglia and their environment, addressing dysfunctional microglia's effect on AD. Our model represents a two-dimensional slice of the hippocampus, depicting microglia's ability to move, metabolize glucose, and interact with the blood brain barrier and amyloid beta plaques. We applied treatments of metabolic boosting and exercise to our model to study how varying treatment intensities can impede AD progression.

Permission to Publish Work

Yes

Primary Contact: First Name

Abigail

Primary Contact: Last Name

Penland

Primary Contact: Email

ajp165@humboldt.edu

Primary Contact: I am a

Undergraduate Student

Primary Contact: Phone Number

530-921-0650