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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models
Published on: May 3, 2017
Vesicular glutamate transporter and cognition in stroke: a case-control autopsy study
S L Kirvell1, M S Elliott, R N Kalaria
1King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, UK.
Vascular dementia (VaD) involves glutamatergic synaptic loss. Preserved frontal cortex synapses may protect against cognitive decline after stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vascular dementia (VaD) represents 15-20% of dementia cases.
- The link between cognitive decline and neurochemical changes in VaD is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate glutamatergic synaptic markers in VaD.
- Determine the role of specific synaptic proteins in cognitive function and dementia.
Main Methods:
- Western blotting was used to analyze vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1), EAAT2 (GLT-1), and synaptophysin.
- Gray matter homogenates from neocortical regions (BA 9 and BA 20) were analyzed from 73 individuals (VaD, AD, controls).
Main Results:
- VGLUT1 concentrations in BA 20 and BA 9 correlated with cognitive and memory scores.
- VGLUT1 levels in BA 9 differed significantly between dementia groups and stroke patients without dementia.
- Stroke patients without dementia showed the highest VGLUT1 concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Loss of glutamatergic synapses is characteristic of VaD and Alzheimer's disease.
- Preservation of synapses, especially glutamatergic ones, in the frontal cortex may protect against dementia post-stroke.
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