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Novel Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Synapse Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease

Project Overview

In Alzheimer s disease (AD), critical synaptic connections between neurons disintegrate and cells die. The brains of individuals with AD accumulate plaques of a protein fragment called AΠ that disrupt synapse function and cause neuronal death. Dr. Kennedy and his team will study a protein called netrin-1 that promotes cell survival, synapse formation, and synaptic changes underlying memory. Netrin-1 also binds AΠ and its precursor, Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP). APP acts similarly to netrin-1; however, AΠ does the opposite, disrupting synapses and killing neurons. The team will test the idea that APP is a receptor for netrin-1 at synapses in the healthy brain, but that in AD AΠ steals netrin-1 away from APP, thereby disrupting synapse function. Biochemical techniques, neuronal cell culture, electrophysiology, and live-imaging will be employed to assess the effects of AΠ, APP, and netrin-1 on synapse function. The proposed studies will help to understand how to maintain and promote synapse function in AD.

Principal Investigator

Timothy Kennedy , McGill University

Partners and Donors

Alzheimer Society of Canada

Project Complete

Novel Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Synapse Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Program Type

    Capacity building grants

  • Area of research

    Neurodevelopment

  • Disease Area

    Alzheimer’s

  • Competition

    Alzheimer’s Society Research Program (ASRP)/Brain Canada New Investigator & Career Change Grants

  • Province

    Québec

  • Start Date

    2015

  • Total Grant Amount

    $224,952

  • Health Canada Contribution

    $112,476