Press release -
How chronic stress accelerates Alzheimer’s disease
These stress steroids can inhibit the general brain activity. Allopregnanolone is one of them, and the doctoral thesis shows that chronically elevated levels of allopregnanolone accelerated the disease development in two transgenic Alzheimer disease models. The Alzheimer mice responded with impaired learning and memory. They had also increased brain levels of beta-amyloids, i.e. the proteins that form plaques in Alzheimer’s disease.
The thesis also demonstrates that high levels of beta-amyloids corresponded to dysfunction among brain synapses. This was seen after a period of chronically elevated levels of allopregnanolone, but not after placebo treatment. The effects were identified early in the disease development when the animals normally have intact memory function. A similar acceleration of AD in humans could mean the difference between living self-sufficiently at home and living with requirements of professional care.
The figure shows
the proportion of AD mice with normal and impaired memory in each treatment
group respectively. A substantial increase in the number of mice with impaired
memory function was found after chronically elevated levels of allopregnanolone
in comparison to placebo treatment.
Figure image
Sara K. Bengtsson was born in Malmö, Sweden, and completed her pre-university graduation in Ystad. Professionally, Sara K. Bengtsson has worked in various fields and in 2008 she completed her Master’s degree in medicine with a major in biomedicine at Umeå University, Sweden, where she now is a postgraduate student at the Department of Clinical Sciences, division of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
She can be reached at:
Phone: +46 (0)90-785 33 24
E-mail sara.bengtsson@obgyn.umu.se
About the dissertation defence:
On Friday, March 22nd, Sara K. Bengtsson, Department of Clinical Sciences, Umeå University,
is publicly defending her thesis with the title Stress steroids as accelerators of Alzheimer’s disease. Effects of
chronically elevated levels of allopregnanolone in transgenic AD models.
Time: 9.00 am in room Betula, building 6M, Umeå
Universit yHospital.
Faculty opponent: Professor Caroline Graff, Karolinska
Institute.
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Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest institutions of higher learning with over 36,000 students and 4,200 employees. We have a well-established international research profile and a broad range of study options. Our campus constitutes an inspiring environment that encourages interdisciplinary meetings - between students, researchers, teachers and external stakeholders. Through collaboration with other members of society, we contribute to the development and strengthen the quality of our research and education.
