Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40461464›Full record

ReviewCell death & disease2025

Role of LIMK1-cofilin-actin axis in dendritic spine dynamics in Alzheimer's disease.

Fabiola Paciello, Martina Battistoni, Sara Martini, Chiara Simone, Francesco Pastore, Raimondo Sollazzo, Claudio Grassi, Cristian Ripoli

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cell death & disease, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
14citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

14 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Review
  10. Amyloid Beta Oligomers as Early Triggers of Neuronal Cytoskeleton Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease.Pathophysiology : the official journal of the International Society for Pathophysiology · 2026
    Review
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Neuronal Actin Remodeling and Its Role in Higher Nervous Activity.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
  14. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Fabiola PacielloDepartment of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Martina BattistoniDepartment of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Sara MartiniDepartment of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Chiara SimoneDepartment of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Francesco PastoreDepartment of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Raimondo SollazzoDepartment of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Claudio Grassi *Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7253-1685
Cristian Ripoli *Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. cristian.ripoli@unicatt.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5315-0163

Funding

Alzheimer's Association AARG-21-847593
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Dysregulation of dendritic spine dynamics, a process essential for synaptic plasticity and memory, is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Actin dynamics, largely regulated by the LIMK1-cofilin pathway, are central to maintaining structural and functional stability in neurons. In healthy brains, the LIMK1-cofilin-actin axis modulates actin polymerization within dendritic spines, supporting spine growth and plasticity. However, in AD, this pathway is altered, leading to both actin and synaptic dysfunction. Studies report conflicting findings, with some indicating LIMK1 hyperactivation leading to cofilin inactivation, while others observe elevated cofilin activity, suggesting divergent regulatory mechanisms depending on the disease stage or neuronal environment. The paradoxical effects of LIMK1-cofilin signaling in AD may result from a context-dependent regulation influenced by factors such as amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau protein accumulation, which disrupt actin dynamics and promote synaptic degeneration. The presence of cofilin-actin rods and Hirano bodies in AD highlights the role of aberrant actin stabilization and its impact on neurodegenerative processes. This review synthesizes current findings on LIMK1-cofilin-actin signaling in AD, emphasizing the dual role of cofilin in stabilizing and severing actin filaments. Targeting the LIMK1-cofilin-actin axis presents a promising therapeutic approach to restore dendritic spine dynamics and mitigate cognitive decline. However, resolving inconsistencies in cofilin regulation is essential to developing effective treatments for AD.

Indexed as

Actin Depolymerizing FactorsActinsAlzheimer DiseaseCofilin 1Dendritic SpinesLim KinasesAmyloid beta-PeptidesAnimalsHumansSignal TransductionActin Depolymerizing FactorsActinsAmyloid beta-PeptidesCofilin 1LIMK1 protein, humanLim Kinases

Identifiers

PMID40461464
PMCPMC12134335

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.