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

• Grant number: 10/01795-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2010
• End date: May 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Wagner Farid Gattaz
• Grantee: Micheli Figueiró
• 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 performance, maintenance of skills during a period when the decline is expected, or a lower rate of decline over time. In this project, we evaluate in an experimental model for AD (intracerebroventricular infusion of beta-amyloid peptide, A²), the selective modulation of PLA2 isoforms by environmental enrichment, as a new therapeutic strategy to prevent or reverse the cognitive decline seen in AD. Also, we will examine the effects of environmental enrichment in the process of neurogenesis and neuronal viability. Our main interest is to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on reducing the cognitive losses, targeting the prevention of dementia. (AU)