Alternative therapy of Alzheimer's disease via supplementation with choline acetyltransferase


BIBLIOGRAPHIC THERAPEUTIC AGENT ANIMAL MODEL EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN OUTCOMES

Bibliographic

Year of Publication:
2004
Contact PI Name:
Man-Ji Sun
Contact PI Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
Co-Authors:
Ai Ling Fu, Qian Li, Zhao Hui Dong, Shi Jie Huang, Yu Xia Wang
Primary Reference (PubMED ID):
Funding Source:
Not Reported
Study Goal and Principal Findings:

Much evidence indicates that the memory and cognitive deficits of patients with Alzheimer's disease are closely associated with dysfunction of central cholinergic system. The degree of reduction of choline acetyltransferase activity in cerebral cholinergic neurons is significantly correlated with the severity of dementia or cognitive impairments observed in Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, Alzheimer's disease may be slowed by supplementation of exogenous choline acetyltransferase. Here we show that choline acetyltransferase mediated by TAT protein transduction domain passes through the blood-brain barrier and enters the neurons in mice, increasing choline acetyltransferase and neurotransmitter acetylcholine contents. The recombination TAT-choline acetyltransferase fusion protein injected intravenously improves the memory and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease model mice induced by amyloid-beta peptide. Our results imply a novel and potentially effective way for Alzheimer's disease therapy.

Therapeutic Agent

Therapeutic Information:
Therapy Type:
Biologic - Protein
Therapeutic Agent:
PTD-ChAT Fusion Protein
Therapeutic Target:
Muscarinic Cholinergic Receptor
Therapeutic Target:
Nicotinic Cholinergic Receptor

Animal Model

Model Information:
Species:
Mouse
Model Type:
beta Amyloid Peptide Injection
Strain/Genetic Background:
Not Reported
Animal Model Notes:
Aggregated beta amyloid peptide 25-35 was administered intracerebroventricularly to mice to generate the AD model used in this study. However, the authors do not state the specific mouse strain used.

Experimental Design

Is the following information reported in the study?:
Power/Sample Size Calculation
Randomized into Groups
Blinded for Treatment
Blinded for Outcome Measures
Pharmacokinetic Measures
Pharmacodynamic Measures
Toxicology Measures
ADME Measures
Biomarkers
Dose
Formulation
Route of Delivery
Duration of Treatment
Frequency of Administration
Age of Animal at the Beginning of Treatment
Age of Animal at the End of Treatment
Sex as a Biological Variable
Study Balanced for Sex as a Biological Variable
Number of Premature Deaths
Number of Excluded Animals
Statistical Plan
Genetic Background
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria Included
Conflict of Interest

Outcomes

Outcome Measured
Outcome Parameters
Behavioral
Morris Water Maze
Step-Through Passive Avoidance Test
Biochemical
Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) Activity
Immunochemistry
Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT)
Pharmacodynamics
Acetylcholine Release

Source URL: http://alzped.nia.nih.gov/alternative-therapy