Researchers led by Min Zhang and Dabao Zhang from the University of California, Irvine’s Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health have developed the most comprehensive maps to date of how genes causally influence one another within specific brain cell types impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Using advanced artificial intelligence models, the team analyzed vast datasets from human brain tissue to uncover intricate regulatory networks that drive disease progression. Their work identifies key genes and molecular pathways that act as master regulators in neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes—cell types central to Alzheimer’s pathology. By distinguishing between correlation and causation, the AI-powered approach reveals which genetic interactions are likely to directly contribute to neurodegeneration, offering new targets for therapeutic intervention. The findings represent a major leap in understanding the biological underpinnings of Alzheimer’s, providing a foundational resource for future drug discovery and precision medicine strategies aimed at halting or reversing the disease.