Enriched Environment Alleviate AD Pathological Progression by Reducing Microglia Complement Signaling in Aged Male...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Pathology

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves genetic and environmental factors.
• Previous research indicates enriched environments benefit AD mice, but mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate enriched environment effects on AD pathology and cognition in aged APP/PS1 mice.
• Elucidate mechanisms by which enriched environments impact Alzheimer's disease progression.

Main Methods:

• Utilized aged APP/PS1 transgenic mice and wild-type littermates.
• Subjected mice to standard (SE) or enriched (EE) environments for 5 months.
• Assessed cognitive function, amyloid-beta (Aβ) and phosphorylated-tau (p-Tau) aggregation, microglial inflammation markers (Tlr-4, NF-κB, iNOS), C1q expression, and dendritic spine integrity.

Main Results:

• Enriched environments preserved cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice.
• EE reduced Aβ and p-Tau aggregation, and microglial inflammation.
• EE decreased C1q expression and slowed dendritic spine loss in the hippocampus.

Conclusions:

• Enriched environments can mitigate Alzheimer's disease progression.
• Mechanisms include regulating microglial inflammation and maintaining neuronal integrity, particularly hippocampal dendritic spines.