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A Physiological Role for Amyloid Beta Protein: Enhancement of Learning and Memory
- Source :
- Nature Precedings.
- Publication Year :
- 2008
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2008.
-
Abstract
- Amyloid beta protein (A[beta]) is well recognized as having a significant role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The reason for the presence of A[beta] and its physiological role in non-disease states is not clear. In these studies, low doses of A[beta] enhanced memory retention in two memory tasks and enhanced acetylcholine production in the hippocampus in vivo. We then tested whether endogenous A[beta] has a role in learning and memory in young, cognitively intact mice by blocking endogenous A[beta] in healthy 2-month-old CD-1 mice. Blocking A[beta] with antibody to A[beta] or DFFVG (which blocks A[beta] binding) or decreasing A[beta] expression with an antisense directed at the A[beta] precursor APP all resulted in impaired learning in T-maze foot-shock avoidance. Finally, A[beta]1-42 facilitated induction and maintenance of long term potentiation in hippocampal slices, whereas antibodies to A[beta] inhibited hippocampal LTP. These results indicate that in normal healthy young animals the presence of A[beta] is important for learning and memory.
Details
- ISSN :
- 17560357
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Nature Precedings
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........9c0ab6fd0e4c1dfc0f562071417a0582