Recent 31P NMR studies from this laboratory have demonstrated increased levels of phosphomonoesters (PME) in Alzheimer disease (AD) brain as compared to normal and neurological controls and increased levels of phosphodiesters (PDE) in neurological controls compared to normal controls. PME are predominantly precursors of membrane phospholipids and PDE are the breakdown products. One tentative interpretation of the AD results is a metabolic block at the rate-limiting CTP:phosphoethamolamine (phosphocholine) cytidyltransferase enzyme (EC 2.7.7.15) in phospholipid synthesis. Preliminary HPLC studies of autopsy brain support this interpretation by demonstrating decreased levels of membrane phospholipids in AD brain. To pursue this possibility further qualitative and quantitative HPLC membrane phospholipid analyses of AD, Parkinson's disease (PD) and normal control brains are proposed. The phospholipid levels will be correlated with levels of PME and PDE and the numbers of senile plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in AD, PD and control brain. These correlations will investigate the specificity of the findings for AD. Studies in the Fischer 344 rat to date have demonstrated remarkable effects of brain development and aging on high-energy phosphate and membrane phospholipid metabolism. The proposed studies will investigate the effects of graded anoxia or ischemia at 7 different ages (newborn-24months) on brain high-energy phosphate, membrane phospholipid and fatty acid metabolism. These studies could provide insights into the role of brain aging on its response to brief anoxia or ischemia.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG005657-05
Application #
3116342
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 1 (NEUB)
Project Start
1985-08-01
Project End
1991-07-31
Budget Start
1989-08-01
Budget End
1990-07-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Pettegrew, J W; Moossy, J; Withers, G et al. (1988) 31P nuclear magnetic resonance study of the brain in Alzheimer's disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 47:235-48
Pettegrew, J W; Withers, G; Panchalingam, K et al. (1988) Considerations for brain pH assessment by 31P NMR. Magn Reson Imaging 6:135-42
Pettegrew, J W; Kopp, S J; Minshew, N J et al. (1987) 31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies of phosphoglyceride metabolism in developing and degenerating brain: preliminary observations. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 46:419-30
Pettegrew, J W; Short, J W; Woessner, R D et al. (1987) The effect of lithium on the membrane molecular dynamics of normal human erythrocytes. Biol Psychiatry 22:857-71
Pettegrew, J W; Withers, G; Panchalingam, K et al. (1987) 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of brain in aging and Alzheimer's disease. J Neural Transm Suppl 24:261-8