Name of Fellow

    Beatriz Gomez Perez-Nievas

    Institution

    Funder

    Alzheimer's Research UK

    Contact information of fellow

    Country

    United Kingdom

    Title of project/programme

    Astrocytes influence interactions between Abeta and tau to cause synaptotoxicity in AD

    Source of funding information

    Alzheimer's Research UK

    Total sum awarded (Euro)

    € 235,798

    Start date of award

    10/07/15

    Total duration of award in years

    3.3

    The project/programme is most relevant to:

    Alzheimer's disease & other dementias

    Keywords

    Immunity and Inflammation | Astrocytes

    Research Abstract

    Synapses are critical connections between nerve cells in the brain and are involved in learning, memory and the way that we behave in response to different situations. In Alzheimer’s disease, synapses become unhealthy and die, and this leads to clinical features of Alzheimer’s disease such as impairments in memory and changes in behaviour. A recent study from the applicant showed that alterations in memory in Alzheimer’s patients are strongly linked with two changes in the brain – (1) the accumulation of astrocytes, cells which are involved in brain inflammation, and (2) the presence of tau in synapses. The goal of this project is to find out if astrocytes influence synapse health by altering the amount of tau in synapses. This is important because it is known that synapses are very resilient and can recover when damaging influences are removed. Therefore, if we can identify means to improve synapse health this will have considerable benefit for Alzheimer’s patients.

Types: Fellowships
Member States: United Kingdom
Diseases: Alzheimer's disease & other dementias
Years: 2016
Database Categories: N/A
Database Tags: N/A

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