Role of alpha7 nicotinic cholinergic receptors in memory retention of mice submitted to neurodegeneration

• Grant number: 11/07365-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2011
• End date: December 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Neuropsychopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Tânia Araújo Viel
• Grantee: Milena Telles
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Lately, it was observed an increase in longevity of the population due, in general, to improve in life quality. Together with this phenomenon, physiological alterations related to aging and to chronic and degenerative diseases are also observed. These alterations may influence the individual autonomy during the elderly. Chronic degeneration of brain areas related to learning and memory leads to progressive dementia with cognitive decline, as happens in the Alzheimer's disease. Recent observations from our research team showed that the infusion of amyloid-² peptide (A²) in the lateral ventricle of rats followed by weekly training in the active avoidance apparatus promoted cortical and hippocampal degeneration and partial reduction in memory retention. These animals also presented an increase in the density of a7* nicotinic cholinergic receptors in brain regions related to memory, emotions and defense responses as cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. Our hypothesis is that week training promoted a neuroprotective action that improved the memory keeping. The aim of this project is to investigate the role of the a7* receptors in the memory maintenance in a neurodegenerative process. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TELLES-LONGUI, MILENA; MOURELLE, DANILO; SCHOWE, NATALIA MENDES; CIPOLLI, GABRIELA CABETT; MALERBA, HELENA NASCIMENTO; BUCK, HUDSON SOUSA; VIEL, TANIA ARAUJO. alpha 7 nicotinic ACh receptors are necessary for memory recovery and neuroprotection promoted by attention training in amyloid-beta-infused mice. British Journal of Pharmacology, v. 176, n. 17, JULY 2019. (13/06935-1, 16/20574-0, 12/12917-3, 11/07365-9, 16/07115-6)