Alzheimer's Disease affects 5.4 million Americans [1] and by 2030, approximately 13.8 million people 65 or older are projected to have the disease [2]. Even more individuals will experience normal age-related cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and impairments in long-term memory formation. It is therefore critical to understand the mechanisms underlying memory formation in the context of normal age-dependent cognitive decline. This proposal tests whether Per1 is a key novel mechanism that links aberrant epigenetic transcriptional repression in the aging brain with age-related impairments in both circadian rhythmicity and long-term memory formation. First, this proposal will test whether the repressive activity of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) contributes to age-related impairments in both memory formation and gene expression. Next, it will determine whether Per1 is a mechanism through which HDAC3 limits memory formation in the aging brain. Finally, using a CRISPR/dCas9-based genetic engineering approach, this project will test whether site-specific epigenetic manipulations at Per1 can ameliorate age-related impairments in memory formation. Together, the experiments in this proposal will determine whether epigenetic dysregulation of the circadian gene Per1 in the dorsal hippocampus contributes to age-related impairments in long-term memory formation. The proposed project will also help the candidate, Dr. Janine Kwapis, achieve her career goal of becoming an independent investigator at a research-focused institution. This project provides training in cutting-edge research skills, including the development and application of CRISPR/dCas9 technology and training in circadian rhythm research. Further, the proposed studies will lay the foundation for a research program that extends well beyond the proposed grant. The University of California, Irvine provides an ideal environment for training the candidate in these new technical skills, with world-renowned experts in memory, aging, circadian rhythms, and molecular biology. Further, UCI provides an intellectual environment that encourages collaboration and cooperation, allowing the candidate to grow as a scientist and prepare for a successful career. In addition to the proposed research, Dr. Kwapis will engage in a number of activities designed to prepare her to successfully achieve independence, including training in grantsmanship, presentations, scientific writing, didactic training, job application, and lab management. The systematic plan proposed here (including both the research plan and the candidate development plan) is calibrated to produce a successful, independent research scientist who performs unique cutting-edge research that can support a new laboratory and is well-positioned to receive future R01 funding.

Public Health Relevance

Alzheimer's disease is projected to affect 13.8 million people 65 or older by 2030 and even more individuals will experience normal age-related cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and dysfunctional memory formation. Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying these age-dependent impairments in memory is critical to developing new treatment strategies to prolong healthy cognitive function as the population ages. This proposal will examine the epigenetic regulation of a key circadian rhythm mechanism that may be pivotally involved in normal age-related cognitive decline and has the potential to unlock novel therapeutic avenues.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Career Transition Award (K99)
Project #
5K99AG056596-02
Application #
9526985
Study Section
Neuroscience of Aging Review Committee (NIA)
Program Officer
Wagster, Molly V
Project Start
2017-07-15
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2018-07-01
Budget End
2019-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Graduate Schools
DUNS #
046705849
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92617
Shu, Guanhua; Kramár, Enikö A; López, Alberto J et al. (2018) Deleting HDAC3 rescues long-term memory impairments induced by disruption of the neuron-specific chromatin remodeling subunit BAF53b. Learn Mem 25:109-114
Kwapis, Janine L; Alaghband, Yasaman; Kramár, Enikö A et al. (2018) Epigenetic regulation of the circadian gene Per1 contributes to age-related changes in hippocampal memory. Nat Commun 9:3323
López, Alberto J; Jia, Yousheng; White, André O et al. (2018) Medial habenula cholinergic signaling regulates cocaine-associated relapse-like behavior. Addict Biol :
Alaghband, Yasaman; Kwapis, Janine L; López, Alberto J et al. (2017) Distinct roles for the deacetylase domain of HDAC3 in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex in the formation and extinction of memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 145:94-104