However, because a lower miR-212 level has been proven to protect elderly patients from dementia (Hadar et al., 2018), we believe that the elevated ALDH1L1 in AD patients may reduce the level of miR-212 in the brain tissue by acting as a miRNA sponge to play a neuroprotective function, and fingolimod may increase this beneficial function by increasing ALDH1L1 levels in brain tissue. The gene discussed is ALDH1L1; the disease is dementia.