Principal Investigators


Frances Wiseman

Institution


University College London, Institute of Neurology

Contact information of lead PI


Country


United Kingdom

Title of project or programme


Understanding Alzheimer's disease using mouse models of Down syndrome

Source of funding information


Alzheimer's Research UK

Total sum awarded (Euro)


€ 142,698

Start date of award


01/10/2013

Total duration of award in years


3

Keywords


Research Abstract


Down syndrome is caused by having an extra copy of chromosome 21 and approximately 6 out of 10 people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease by the age of 60. In other words, people with Down syndrome have an extra copy of the genes which are present on human chromosome 21, and this causes a greatly increased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the genes encoded on human chromosome 21, APP, is known to have a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. We have recently shown, using a new animal model, that genes on chromosome 21 other than APP contribute significantly to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. We would now like to train a new PhD student in Alzheimer’s research to help determine the identity of these genes and understand how they influence the disease.  The student will study the effect of specific chromosome 21 genes on APP pathology, to help determine which gene contributes to the development of disease.  This will give us new insight and new approaches for innovative treatments suitable for all Alzheimer’s disease patients.

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