Consistent gene changes in Alzheimer’s disease across studies

A comparison of mouse Alzheimer’s disease models shows changes in the number of cells and the genes they express remain consistent throughout all stages of the disease. The new research published in

eNeuro

could reveal new targets for disease intervention and therapies.

Many studies have investigated how cells and genes change during Alzheimer’s disease, but they haven’t employed the same mouse models and statistical methods, making comparison and broader conclusions difficult. Zhuang et al. reanalyzed data from 10 previous studies in four types of mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. The research team sorted the samples into early and late Alzheimer’s pathology and examined how cell types and gene expression changed.

The team identified consistent changes in early and late phase samples across the different mouse models. The early samples showed subtle but consistent changes in gene expression, including increased expression of genes involved in the body’s immune response and cholesterol production.

The analysis provides additional support for the involvement of the immune system in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and increases understanding of early progression of the disease. The genes that are over-expressed in early stages could be potential targets for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Manuscript title: Mega-Analysis of Gene Expression in Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

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About

eNeuro

eNeuro

is an online, open-access journal published by the Society for Neuroscience. Established in 2014,

eNeuro

publishes a wide variety of content, including research articles, short reports, reviews, commentaries and opinions.

About The Society for Neuroscience

The Society for Neuroscience is the world’s largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1969, now has nearly 37,000 members in more than 90 countries and over 130 chapters worldwide.