Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
9943322 | The American Journal of Pathology | 2005 | 13 Pages |
Abstract
Neuron and synapse loss are important features of the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, we observed substantial age-related hippocampal neuron loss in APP751SL/PS1M146L transgenic mice but not in PS1M146L mice. Here, we investigated APP751SL mice, PS1M146L mice, and APP751SL/PS1M146L mice for age-related alterations in synaptic integrity within hippocampal stratum moleculare of the dentate gyrus (SM), stratum lucidum of area CA3 (SL), and stratum radiatum of area CA1-2 (SR) by analyzing densities and numbers of synaptophysin-immunoreactive presynaptic boutons (SIPBs). Wild-type mice, APP751SL mice and PS1M146L mice showed similar amounts of age-related SIPB loss within SM, and no SIPB loss within SL. Both APP751SL mice and PS1M146L mice showed age-related SIPB loss within SR. Importantly, APP751SL/PS1M146L mice displayed the severest age-related SIPB loss within SM, SL, and SR, even in regions free of extracellular Aβ deposits. Together, these mouse models offer a unique framework to study the impact of several molecular and cellular events caused by mutant APP and/or mutant PS1 on age-related alterations in synaptic integrity. The observation of age-related SIPB loss within SR of PS1M146L mice supports a role of mutant PS1 in neurodegeneration apart from its contribution to alterations in Aβ generation.
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Authors
Bart P.F. Rutten, Nicolien M. Van der Kolk, Stephanie Schafer, Marc A.M.J. van Zandvoort, Thomas A. Bayer, Harry W.M. Steinbusch, Christoph Schmitz,