Endogenous amyloid‐β is necessary for hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory
D Puzzo, L Privitera, M Fa', A Staniszewski… - Annals of …, 2011 - Wiley Online Library
Annals of neurology, 2011•Wiley Online Library
Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the role of endogenous amyloid‐β
peptide (Aβ) in healthy brain. Methods: Long‐term potentiation (LTP), a type of synaptic
plasticity that is thought to be associated with learning and memory, was examined through
extracellular field recordings from the CA1 region of hippocampal slices, whereas
behavioral techniques were used to assess contextual fear memory and reference memory.
Amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression was reduced through small interfering RNA …
peptide (Aβ) in healthy brain. Methods: Long‐term potentiation (LTP), a type of synaptic
plasticity that is thought to be associated with learning and memory, was examined through
extracellular field recordings from the CA1 region of hippocampal slices, whereas
behavioral techniques were used to assess contextual fear memory and reference memory.
Amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression was reduced through small interfering RNA …
Objective
The goal of this study was to investigate the role of endogenous amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) in healthy brain.
Methods
Long‐term potentiation (LTP), a type of synaptic plasticity that is thought to be associated with learning and memory, was examined through extracellular field recordings from the CA1 region of hippocampal slices, whereas behavioral techniques were used to assess contextual fear memory and reference memory. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression was reduced through small interfering RNA (siRNA) technique.
Results
We found that both antirodent Aβ antibody and siRNA against murine APP reduced LTP as well as contextual fear memory and reference memory. These effects were rescued by the addition of human Aβ42, suggesting that endogenously produced Aβ is needed for normal LTP and memory. Furthermore, the effect of endogenous Aβ on plasticity and memory was likely due to regulation of transmitter release, activation of α7‐containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and Aβ42 production.
Interpretation
Endogenous Aβ42 is a critical player in synaptic plasticity and memory within the normal central nervous system. This needs to be taken into consideration when designing therapies aiming at reducing Aβ levels to treat Alzheimer disease. Ann Neurol 2011;
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