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.

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