Object recognition memory and BDNF expression are reduced in young TgCRND8 mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Alzheimer's Disease Research
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation.
• The TgCRND8 mouse model develops Aβ plaques and cognitive deficits.
• Early functional changes preceding plaque formation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cognitive function in TgCRND8 mice before macroscopic plaque development.
• To identify early molecular changes associated with cognitive deficits.

Main Methods:

• Object recognition task to assess memory in 8-week-old TgCRND8 mice and controls.
• Morris water maze task to evaluate spatial memory.
• Measurement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA levels.

Main Results:

• TgCRND8 mice exhibited significant object recognition deficits at 8 weeks of age.
• No impairment was observed in the Morris water maze task at this age.
• Altered BDNF mRNA levels were detected in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of preplaque TgCRND8 mice.

Conclusions:

• Object recognition is a sensitive assay for detecting early cognitive impairment in AD models.
• Functional disruption in frontal cortex and hippocampus occurs before plaque formation.
• Reduced BDNF expression may contribute to early cognitive deficits in TgCRND8 mice.