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Alzheimer's Disease Research - Completed Award

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Barbara Calabrese, Ph.D.

University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Title: Rapid Effects of Soluble AB on Synaptic Structure
Non-Technical Title: Determining the effect of ABeta on neronal cells

Mentor:
Shelley Halpain, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego

Duration: April 1, 2007 - March 31, 2009
Award Type: Research Fellowship
Award Amount: $100,000


Summary:

Dr. Calabrese hypothesizes that exposure of neurons to low levels of soluble ABeta results in definable changes in the numbers, shape, and stability of synapses. Pharmacological and gene transfer manipulations of synaptic ABeta targets will be used in combination with high resolution live cell imaging to test this hypothesis.

Details:


Barbara Calabrese, Ph.D. of the Scripps Research Institute, proposes studying in rat hippocampal neurons how the amyloid beta (ABeta) peptide, a key trigger of Alzheimer’s disease pathology, induces early changes at synapses - the specialized connections between neurons that are essential for learning and memory. Research suggests that in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease cognitive disruption reflects significant loss in the numbers and/or function of synapses. The soluble forms of ABeta have been found to induce memory impairments in animal models. However, it is still not understood how soluble ABeta alters the structure and function of synapses, especially in early stages of the disease. Dr. Calabrese hypothesizes that exposure of neurons to low levels of soluble ABeta results in definable changes in the numbers, shape, and stability of synapses. Pharmacological and gene transfer manipulations of synaptic ABeta targets will be used in combination with high resolution live cell imaging to test this hypothesis. These studies may provide novel insights to treat the earliest stages of AD, during which intervention is likely to be most effective. The hope is that by understanding soluble. ABeta-induced synaptic destabilization we can improve upon therapies that prevent synapse loss or restore synapse function.

Publications:

Calabrese, B., Shaked, G.M ., Tabarean, I.V., Braga, J., Koo, E.H. and Halpain, S. (2007). Rapid, concurrent alterations in pre- and postsynaptic structure induced by naturally-secreted amyloid-Beta protein. Mol Cell Neurosci. 35(2):183-93. PubMed Icon Google Scholar Icon

Calabrese, B., Shaked, G. M., Tabarean, I.V., Braga, J., Koo, E.H., and Halpain, S. (2007). Naturally-secreted amyloid-? protein affects pre- and postsynaptic structure and connectivity in cultured hippocampal neurons. Slide Presentation Number: 856.8 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. San Diego: SFN. Online. Featured article in Alzheimer Research forum on Nov 20th 2007: http://www.alzforum.org/new/detail.asp?id=1692 [conference abstract]

Barros, C.S., Calabrese, B., Chamero, P., Roberts A.J., Korzus, E., Lloyd, K., Stowers, L., Mayford, M., Halpain, S., and Muller, U. (2009). Impaired maturation of dendritic spines without disorganization of cortical cell layers in mice lacking NRG1/ErbB signaling in the central nervous system. P.N.A.S., 106(11):4507-12.