DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SOUTH CAROLINA
Grant: $221,156 - National Institutes of Health - May. 15, 2009
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Award Description: The funding obtained under the ARRA is for conducting research within the broad area of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Although several AD-linked genetic mutations have been identified that directly cause the disease (due to an accumulation of amyloid, a neurotoxic biproduct of its precursor i.e., APP), these cases are rare. It seems that non-genetic causes play a significant role in a majority of AD victims. Most likely, interplay between genetic, metabolic and environmental factors triggers the onset of pathological changes ultimately leading to AD. This proposal is based on recent experimental and epidemiological evidence suggesting a link between a cluster of vascular risk factors including atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia and the development of AD. The project wold test the hypothesis that atherogenic inflammation resulting from high dietary fat/cholesterol may cause neurovascular dysfunction leading to AD-like pathological changes. The experimental models would use normal mice and transgenic mice expressing human mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) made hypercholesterolemic by feeding of high fat/high cholesterol diet. Specific studies will examine if blockade of an inflammatory signaling pathway would ameliorate neurovascular and AD-like chemical and behavioral changes (i.e., amyloid, cognitive impairment) in these mice. The findings are expected to define a functional link between hypercholesterolemia-induced systemic immune response, brain function and behavior and point to therapeutic strategies targeted towards neurovascular inflammatory processes to treat sporadic forms of AD.
Project Description: As defined in the Award Description field.
Infrastructure Description: N/A
Jobs Summary: 2 Research Specialist II positions (Total jobs reported: 1)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on May. 15, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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