Altered low-frequency brain rhythms precede changes in gamma power during tauopathy

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Neurodegenerative disorders disrupt brain activity and rhythms.
• Dysfunction of the tau protein is linked to some neurodegenerative conditions.
• Understanding tauopathy's impact on brain rhythms is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how brain rhythms are affected in the rTg4510 mouse model of tauopathy.
• To examine electrophysiological changes at early (5 months) and advanced (8 months) disease stages.
• To correlate brain rhythm alterations with tau pathology progression.

Main Methods:

• Measured brain rhythms in the primary visual cortex of rTg4510 mice.
• Utilized both resting state and visually stimulated conditions.
• Monitored pupil diameter and locomotion to define behavioral states.

Main Results:

• At 5 months, increased low-frequency rhythms and neural synchronization were observed during resting state.
• At 8 months, the increase in low-frequency rhythms persisted and was accompanied by reduced gamma range power.
• Slower brain rhythms were impaired earlier than gamma rhythms in this tauopathy model.

Conclusions:

• Brain rhythm alterations, specifically in low-frequency bands, occur early in tauopathy.
• Gamma rhythm power decreases at later stages of tauopathy.
• Electrophysiological recordings can serve as a biomarker for tracking tauopathy progression.