Journal article
Development and characterization of an aged onset model of Alzheimer's disease in Drosophila melanogaster
Experimental neurology, v 261, pp 772-781
Nov 2014
PMID: 25173219
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) is age. Depending on the age of onset, AD is clinically categorized into either the early-onset form (before age 60years old), or the late-onset form (after age 65years old), with the vast majority of AD diagnosed as late onset (LOAD). LOAD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that involves the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brains of elderly patients. Affected individuals often experience symptoms including memory loss, confusion, and behavioral changes. Though many animal models of AD exist, very few are capable of analyzing the effect of older age on AD pathology. In an attempt to better model LOAD, we developed a novel "aged AD" model using Drosophila melanogaster. In our model, we express low levels of the human AD proteins APP (amyloid precursor protein) and BACE1 (β-site APP cleaving enzyme BACE) specifically in the fly's central nervous system. Advantages of our model include the onset of behavioral and neuropathological symptoms later in the fly's lifespan due to a gradual accrual of Aβ within the central nervous system (CNS), making age the key factor in the behavioral and neuroanatomical phenotypes that we observe in this model.
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Details
- Title
- Development and characterization of an aged onset model of Alzheimer's disease in Drosophila melanogaster
- Creators
- Siddhita D Mhatre - Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USASarah J Michelson - Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USAJanine Gomes - Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USALoni Philip Tabb - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USAAleister J Saunders - Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: aleister.saunders@drexel.eduDaniel R Marenda - Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: daniel.marenda@drexel.edu
- Publication Details
- Experimental neurology, v 261, pp 772-781
- Publisher
- Elsevier; United States
- Grant note
- R01NS057295 / NINDS NIH HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biology; Urban Health Collaborative; Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000343531500083
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84908251915
- Other Identifier
- 991014878214104721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Neurosciences