Evaluation of biomarkers and brain tissue changes associated with Alzheimers Disease

• Grant number: 24/13686-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Daniele de Paula Faria
• Grantee: Chiara Maria Righini
• Supervisor: Marie-Claude Potier
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Institut Du Cerveau, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/15682-1 - Evaluation of the synergistic effect of cannabidiol treatment and physical exercise in the transgenic model of Down Syndrome, Ts65Dn., BP.IC

Abstract

As the worlds population ages, the prevalence of age-related diseases such as Alzheimers disease (AD) has increased, posing a significant public health challenge. AD, the most common form of dementia, is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (A²) peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau protein, leading to neurodegeneration. While the role of A² in AD has been extensively studied, the pathology of tau remains less understood. Thesynergistic interaction between A² plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) formed by tauprotein is thought to drive disease severity. Given the higher correlation of tau pathology withcognitive decline compared to A², it is critical to investigate the role of tau in AD progression.Plasma biomarker analysis is practical and accessible, allowing early detection and monitoring of Alzheimers disease in remote areas with limited access to advanced imagingtechnologies. This project aims to deepen the understanding of tau pathology by analyzingplasma biomarkers and performing immunohistochemistry on brain tissue from transgenic mouse models. The P301S mouse model, which exhibits tau pathology, will be used to study tau-related biomarkers, in addition to comparisons with other models such as 3xTg-AD andTs65Dn, a model of Down syndrome (DS). The study will investigate the patterns of tau accumulation, its association with AD symptoms, and the potential impact of therapeutic interventions. Chiara Maria Righini, an undergraduate student, will conduct this research in Dr. Potiers laboratory at the Paris Brain Institute, renowned for its expertise in AD and DS. This experience will enhance her technical skills in molecular biology and histology and enable her to apply these techniques to her ongoing research in Brazil. The internship will also foster international collaboration, potentially leading to collaborative projects and publications, thereby promoting the global integration of Brazilian research. The results will be disseminated through scientific publications and shared with her laboratory colleagues, promoting the adoption of new methodologies and improving research outcomes.