P2RX7 and Alzheimer disease: Several studies demonstrated that P2X7 receptor inhibition presents a neuroprotective effect in AD animal models.181,182 In rat hippocampus, β-amyloid aggregates have been shown to co-localise with P2X7 receptors.183 This co-localisation coincides with upregulated expression of P2X7 receptors, arguably linked to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).184 Mechanistically, P2X7 receptors promote β-amyloid deposition through α-secretase.