Effects of environmental enrichment in the neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease: testing in an animal model

• Grant number: 10/52494-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2011
• End date: January 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Wagner Farid Gattaz
• Grantee: Wagner Farid Gattaz
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psiquiatria Doutor Antonio Carlos Pacheco e Silva (IPq). Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Our laboratory develops translational research applied to the analysis of abnormal metabolism of membrane phospholipids, their influence on brain homeostasis and their implications in neuropsychiatric disorders. A positive response to the treatment of progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) is defined as an increase in levels of performance, maintenance of skills during a period when the decline is expected, or a lower rate of decline over time. In this project, we will evaluate, in an experimental model for AD (intracerebroventricular infusion of beta-amyloid peptide, Aß), the selective modulation of PLA2 isoforms by environmental enrichment, as a new therapeutic strategy to prevent or reverse the cognitive decline seen in AD. We will also examine the effects of environmental enrichment in the process of neurogenesis and neuronal viability. Our main interest is to evaluate the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions on the alleviation of cognitive losses, targeting the prevention of dementia. (AU)