Rapamycin Reduces Plaques and Tangles Formation
Author Information
Author(s): Majumder Smita, Richardson Arlan, Strong Randy, Oddo Salvatore
Primary Institution: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Hypothesis
Inducing autophagy via rapamycin can ameliorate cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease by reducing plaques and tangles.
Conclusion
Rapamycin administration before the formation of plaques and tangles significantly improves cognitive function, while administration after their establishment does not.
Supporting Evidence
- Rapamycin significantly reduced Aβ plaques and tangles in young mice.
- Early treatment improved cognitive function in both 3xTg-AD and NonTg mice.
- Late treatment did not affect established plaques or cognitive deficits.
Takeaway
Giving rapamycin early helps mice with Alzheimer's disease think better by reducing harmful brain clumps, but giving it later doesn't help.
Methodology
Mice were divided into groups and treated with rapamycin at different ages to assess its effects on cognitive function and pathology.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in interpreting results due to the specific mouse model used.
Limitations
The study only tested rapamycin in a specific mouse model and did not explore long-term effects beyond the treatment period.
Participant Demographics
3xTg-AD mice, a model for Alzheimer's disease, were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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