We will use the rhesus monkey as a model of normal aging as it is free from neurodegenerative disease but does show age-related cognitive declines in cognitive function that begin by 13 years of age (humans ~ 39) and accelerate after 20 (humans >60). Examining the neural bases of this cognitive aging, we found that cortical neurons are not lost but instead, major pathology occurs in myelinated fibers of the white matter as seen in the electron microscope (EM) and in MR imaging. Though the relationship of MRI markers to EM markers is unknown, both are strong predictors of cognitive aging. Importantly the causes of myelin damage are unknown. One hypothesis is that damage is caused by age-related oxidative stress. A novel corollary hypothesis is that this damage is magnified by age-related reductions in myelin repair. We will explore both hypotheses in two cohorts of behaviorally tested male and female monkeys that range from young adults (~5) to the elderly (>20). The first cohort consists of 24 monkeys that will be behaviorally tested and their brains analyzed for this study. The second consists of archived tissue samples and associated data from 31 monkeys used in prior studies. Data on these 55 monkeys will include cognition, MRI scans, BrdU labeling, CSF samples and serum samples.
In Aim 1, we will quantify myelin pathology in brain using immunohistochemistry with an antibody to damaged myelin (EP) and assess its relationship to other pathology (e.g. lipid peroxidation) using multilevel immunofluroescence. To identify other potentially causal factors, samples of CSF, serum and brain will be analyzed biochemically with cytokine arrays.
In Aim 2, multi-label immunofluorescence with BrdU and markers of mature and immature oligodendroglia will assess the capacity to maintain and repair myelin.
In Aim 3, sections processed with EP will be co-registered to MRI scans that yield measures of white matter volume and myelin pathology (e.g. fractional anisotropy) to validate how well these MRI measures reflect tissue constituents. Finally, all measures will be analyzed to determine which best predict cognitive aging. This will enable future studies to target experimental treatments at specific processes of myelin damage and use validated MRI measures to follow their effects.

Public Health Relevance

This study of normal aging is designed to discover the mechanisms of myelin damage that lead to mild but steady age-related cognitive decline in humans who escape the frank neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Studies in the rhesus monkey indicate that age-related damage to myelin, the insulation necessary for neural conduction, is responsible for cognitive impairments. Proposed studies will compare the role of oxidative stress with that of diminished myelin restoration in accounting for myelin pathology and resulting cognitive decline.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AG043640-01A1
Application #
8578366
Study Section
Aging Systems and Geriatrics Study Section (ASG)
Program Officer
Wise, Bradley C
Project Start
2013-08-01
Project End
2018-07-31
Budget Start
2013-08-01
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$594,360
Indirect Cost
$231,281
Name
Boston University
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
604483045
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02118
Robinson, Amy A; Abraham, Carmela R; Rosene, Douglas L (2018) Candidate molecular pathways of white matter vulnerability in the brain of normal aging rhesus monkeys. Geroscience 40:31-47
Mortazavi, Farzad; Oblak, Adrian L; Morrison, Will Z et al. (2018) Geometric Navigation of Axons in a Cerebral Pathway: Comparing dMRI with Tract Tracing and Immunohistochemistry. Cereb Cortex 28:1219-1232
Paspalas, Constantinos D; Carlyle, Becky C; Leslie, Shannon et al. (2018) The aged rhesus macaque manifests Braak stage III/IV Alzheimer's-like pathology. Alzheimers Dement 14:680-691
Moore, Tara L; Bowley, Bethany G E; Shultz, Penny L et al. (2018) Oral curcumin supplementation improves fine motor function in the middle-aged rhesus monkey. Somatosens Mot Res 35:1-10
Shobin, Eli; Bowley, Michael P; Estrada, Larissa I et al. (2017) Microglia activation and phagocytosis: relationship with aging and cognitive impairment in the rhesus monkey. Geroscience 39:199-220
Estrada, Larissa I; Robinson, Amy A; Amaral, Ana C et al. (2017) Evaluation of Long-Term Cryostorage of Brain Tissue Sections for Quantitative Histochemistry. J Histochem Cytochem 65:153-171
Mortazavi, Farzad; Romano, Samantha E; Rosene, Douglas L et al. (2017) A Survey of White Matter Neurons at the Gyral Crowns and Sulcal Depths in the Rhesus Monkey. Front Neuroanat 11:69
Moore, Tara L; Bowley, Bethany; Shultz, Penny et al. (2017) Chronic curcumin treatment improves spatial working memory but not recognition memory in middle-aged rhesus monkeys. Geroscience 39:571-584
Valero, M D; Burton, J A; Hauser, S N et al. (2017) Noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Hear Res 353:213-223
Mortazavi, Farzad; Wang, Xiyue; Rosene, Douglas L et al. (2016) White Matter Neurons in Young Adult and Aged Rhesus Monkey. Front Neuroanat 10:15

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