Expression of neuronal mRNAs in Alzheimer type degeneration of the nervous system

There is extensive evidence for decrements of gene expression in AD, at several levels in the process. There is also evidence for increments of expression of some genes. Message for the amyloid precursor protein (APP), for example, is elevated in surviving neurons of certain subcortical populations in AD. We evaluated expression of message for APP as well as for certain neuronal and glial cytoskeletal proteins in the cortex of six cases of AD. Neuronal mRNAs, including that for APP, were significantly decreased when compared with control cortex, whereas the glial mRNA was increased. We have projected studies to determine the evolution of these mRNA decrements in Alzheimer-type degeneration. The rationale for these studies and preliminary findings are discussed.