Scientists restore memory-linked neuron function in Alzheimer's mice

Keran Ma, PhD, first author, assistant professor, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth HoustonGamma oscillations are disrupted in the brain of Alzheimer's patients. Even before patients are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, when they start to show some symptoms-for example, mild cognitive impairment-changes in gamma oscillations are already present. Early on in Alzheimer's disease, the disrupted gamma oscillations are accompanied by progressive PV cell dysfunction."

"We found that the pattern of PV cell recruitment was restored after PV cell function was enhanced by a sodium channel subunit, and the mice showed improved gamma oscillations," Ma said. "This is proof of principle that we can manipulate these PV interneurons to increase gamma oscillations."

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University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

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