Age-dependent loss of dentate gyrus granule cells in APP/PS1KI mice

Brain Res. 2008 Jul 30:1222:207-13. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.05.052. Epub 2008 May 28.

Abstract

Loss of neurons in the hippocampus and other brain regions is, besides the occurrence of plaques and tangles, a neuropathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In recent years a plethora of transgenic mouse models overexpressing mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been developed, which represent valuable research tools. Whereas extracellular plaque pathology is a common feature of these models, neuronal loss is a rather rare characteristic. In the present study, we quantified the number of neurons in the dentate gyrus granule layer (GCL) in 2- and 12-month-old APP/PS1KI mice, a mouse model that has been previously shown to have significant loss of neurons in the CA1 layer of the hippocampus. Stereological analysis revealed a strongly significant decrease of GCLs in aged APP/PS1KI mice, compared to age-matched PS1KI control animals (-44%), however, the volume of the GCL was not different.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aging*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Cell Death / physiology
  • Dentate Gyrus / cytology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Presenilin-1 / genetics*
  • Presenilin-1 / metabolism
  • Stereotaxic Techniques

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Presenilin-1