The aim of this study is to better understand the role of Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated synaptic proteins in regulating synaptic structure and function in vivo. Using a newly developed membrane labeling technique to visualize neuronal structures, we will study the role of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and AP peptide in structural alterations of hippocampal synapses in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Preliminary studies suggest that dendrites in the vicinity of extracellular amyloid deposition show various abnormalities such as local sprouting, reduced dendritic spine density, and formation of varicosities. By using time-lapse recording and calcium imaging of fluorescently labeled dendrites in living hippocampal slices, we will examine whether and how amyloid deposition leads to morphological and functional disruption of synaptic connections. To better understand the mechanisms underlying synaptic dysfunction, serial electron microscopy will be used to examine ultrastructural changes and spatial relationships of axons, dendrites, and astrocytes in the vicinity of amyloid plaques. Lastly, as age-related synapse loss occurs gradually and long-term synaptic changes in the CNS are difficult to examine, we will study synaptic alterations in accessible submandibular ganglionic neurons in living mice expressing Yellow Fluorescent Protein (YFP) in preganglionic axons and synapses. We will be able to follow YFP-labeled synapses over an extended period of time to examine the long-term effect of age and AD associated proteins on synaptic loss in living mice. Because synapse loss plays an important role in the neuronal dysfunction associated with normal and pathological aging, a better understanding of how synapses change in Alzheimer's disease models is likely to be useful in developing new therapeutic approaches.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS041846-02
Application #
6540490
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1-SRB-K (02))
Program Officer
Murphy, Diane
Project Start
2001-05-01
Project End
2005-04-30
Budget Start
2002-05-01
Budget End
2003-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$412,500
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10016
Wang, Pei; Yang, Guang; Mosier, Dennis R et al. (2005) Defective neuromuscular synapses in mice lacking amyloid precursor protein (APP) and APP-Like protein 2. J Neurosci 25:1219-25
Gan, Wen-Biao; Kwon, Elaine; Feng, Guoping et al. (2003) Synaptic dynamism measured over minutes to months: age-dependent decline in an autonomic ganglion. Nat Neurosci 6:956-60