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Updated: Oct 21, 2025
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Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
Published on: March 23, 2011
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Amyloid pathology and synaptic loss in pathological aging.
Eleni Gkanatsiou1,2, Johanna Nilsson1,2, Christina E Toomey3,4,5
1Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.
Journal of Neurochemistry
|September 2, 2021
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) shows lower synaptic proteins and higher amyloid plaques compared to pathological aging (PA). PA preserves synaptic function despite amyloid presence, unlike AD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuropathology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition marked by cognitive decline.
- Pathological aging (PA) involves amyloid plaques but without cognitive impairment.
- Both AD and PA feature amyloid plaques composed of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare synaptic protein levels, amyloid plaque load, and Aβ peptide patterns between AD and PA.
- To investigate the relationship between synaptic function, plaque load, and Aβ peptides in AD and PA.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of post-mortem brain tissue from control, PA, AD, and familial AD (FAD) individuals.
- Two-step protein and Aβ peptide extraction using tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-buffered saline (TBS) and formic acid.
- Mass spectrometry analysis following immunoprecipitation to quantify synaptic proteins and Aβ peptides.
Main Results:
- Synaptic protein levels were significantly lower in AD (and FAD) compared to PA (and controls).
- Amyloid plaque load was higher in AD than in PA.
- Relative amounts of Aβ40 were higher in AD, while Aβ42 was higher in PA.
Conclusions:
- Synaptic loss is confirmed in Alzheimer's disease patients.
- In AD, synaptic dysfunction correlates with increased plaque load and Aβ40 levels.
- Synaptic function appears preserved in pathological aging cases despite amyloid presence.
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