Synapses may represent a key nidus for dementia including Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Here we review published studies and present new ideas related to the question of the specificity of synapse loss in AD. Currently, AD is defined by the regional presence of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The severity of involvement by those pathological hallmarks tends to correlate both with antemortem cognitive status, and also with synapse loss in multiple brain areas. Recent studies from large autopsy series have led to a new standard of excellence with regard to clinical-pathological correlation and to improved comprehension of the numerous brain diseases of the elderly. These studies have provided evidence that it is the rule rather than the exception for brains of aged individuals to demonstrate pathologies (often multiple) other than AD plaques and tangles. For many of these comorbid pathologies, the extent of synapse loss is imperfectly understood but could be substantial. These findings indicate that synapse loss is probably not a hallmark specific to AD but rather a change common to many diseases associated with dementia.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4230706 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2013.12.028 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The Hao-Fountain syndrome protein USP7 regulates neuronal connectivity in the brain via a novel p53-independent ubiquitin signaling pathway.
Cell Rep
January 2025
Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; The Brain Tumor Center, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address:
Mutation or deletion of the deubiquitinase USP7 causes Hao-Fountain syndrome (HAFOUS), which is characterized by speech delay, intellectual disability, and aggressive behavior and highlights important unknown roles of USP7 in the nervous system. Here, we conditionally delete USP7 in glutamatergic neurons in the mouse forebrain, triggering disease-relevant phenotypes, including sensorimotor deficits, impaired cognition, and aggressive behavior. Although USP7 deletion induces p53-dependent neuronal apoptosis, most behavioral abnormalities in USP7 conditional knockout mice persist following p53 loss.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCellular Cholesterol Loss Impairs Synaptic Vesicle Mobility via the CAMK2/Synapsin-1 Signaling Pathway.
Front Biosci (Landmark Ed)
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 201508 Shanghai, China.
Background: Neuronal cholesterol deficiency may contribute to the synaptopathy observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Intact synaptic vesicle (SV) mobility is crucial for normal synaptic function, whereas disrupted SV mobility can trigger the synaptopathy associated with AD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFunctional and Structural Changes in the Inner Ear and Cochlear Hair Cell Loss Induced by Hypergravity.
Int J Mol Sci
January 2025
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon 22332, Republic of Korea.
Gravitational changes have been shown to cause significant abnormalities in various body systems, including the cardiovascular, immune, vestibular, and musculoskeletal systems. While numerous studies have examined the response of the vestibular system to gravitational stimulation, research on functional changes in the peripheral inner ear remains limited. The inner ear comprises two closely related structures: the vestibule and cochlea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuntingtin plays an essential role in the adult hippocampus.
Neurobiol Dis
January 2025
Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada. Electronic address:
The consequences of non-pathogenic huntingtin (HTT) reduction in the mature brain are of substantial importance as clinical trials for numerous HTT-lowering therapies are underway; many of which are non-selective in that they reduce both mutant and wild type protein variants. In this study, we injected CaMKII-promoted AAV-Cre directly into the hippocampus of adult HTT floxed mice to explore the role of wild-type huntingtin (wtHTT) in adult hippocampal pyramidal neurons and the broader implications of its loss. Our findings reveal that wtHTT depletion results in profound macroscopic morphological abnormalities in hippocampal structure, accompanied by significant reactive gliosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMultiple regulators constrain the abundance of C. elegans DLK-1 in ciliated sensory neurons.
G3 (Bethesda)
January 2025
Department of Neurobiology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093.
The conserved MAP3K DLKs are widely known for their functions in synapse formation, axonal regeneration and degeneration, and neuronal survival, notably under traumatic injury and chronic disease conditions. In contrast, their roles in other neuronal compartments are much less explored. Through an unbiased forward genetic screening in C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!