Failed retrograde transport of NGF in a mouse model of Down's syndrome: Reversal of cholinergic neurodegenerative phenotypes following NGF infusion

J. D. Cooper, A. Salehi, J. D. Delcroix, C. L. Howe, P. V. Belichenko, J. Chua-Couzens, J. F. Kilbridge, E. J. Carlson, C. J. Epstein, W. C. Mobley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

280 Scopus citations

Abstract

Age-related degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) contributes to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome. With aging, the partial trisomy 16 (Ts65Dn) mouse model of Down's syndrome exhibited reductions in BFCN size and number and regressive changes in the hippocampal terminal fields of these neurons with respect to diploid controls. The changes were associated with significantly impaired retrograde transport of nerve growth factor (NGF) from the hippocampus to the basal forebrain. Intracerebroventricular NGF infusion reversed well established abnormalities in BFCN size and number and restored the deficit in cholinergic innervation. The findings are evidence that even BFCNs chronically deprived of endogenous NGF respond to an intervention that compensates for defective retrograde transport. We suggest that age-related cholinergic neurodegeneration may be a treatable disorder of failed retrograde NGF signaling.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)10439-10444
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume98
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 28 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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