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Updated: Jul 29, 2025

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
Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 elevation contributes to age-associated cognitive decline
Jing Tian1, Lan Guo2, Tienju Wang1
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and.
Elevated LEAP2/ghrelin ratios in older adults correlate with cognitive decline. Restoring this balance in aged mice improved memory and brain health, suggesting a therapeutic target for age-related cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Cognitive decline and hippocampal dysfunction are common in aging.
- Ghrelin signaling, mediated by the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), influences hippocampal function.
- Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) antagonizes ghrelin and GHSR signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma ghrelin, LEAP2 levels, and cognitive function in elderly individuals.
- To explore the role of the LEAP2/ghrelin ratio in age-related hippocampal changes and cognitive performance.
- To determine if modulating the LEAP2/ghrelin ratio can ameliorate age-associated cognitive deficits.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma ghrelin and LEAP2 levels in cognitively normal individuals over 60.
- Assessed the association between plasma LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratios and cognitive scores (MMSE).
- Utilized mouse models to study age-dependent relationships and intervention effects on hippocampal function and cognition.
Main Results:
- Plasma LEAP2 increased, while ghrelin marginally declined with age in elderly humans.
- Higher LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratios were inversely associated with cognitive performance and hippocampal integrity in humans and mice.
- Downregulating LEAP2 in aged mice restored the LEAP2/ghrelin balance, improving cognition and mitigating hippocampal deficits.
Conclusions:
- An elevated LEAP2/ghrelin molar ratio may be a biomarker for age-related cognitive decline.
- Modulating the LEAP2/ghrelin ratio presents a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing cognitive function and memory in the elderly.
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