Midbrain degeneration triggers astrocyte reactivity and tau pathology in experimental Alzheimer's Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Smaller midbrain volumes predict Alzheimer's Disease (AD) progression and faster conversion from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to dementia. Along with this, various midbrain-target areas are characterized by neuroinflammation since the MCI stage. The concomitance of neuroinflammation, Αβ and tau appears to be a strong predictor for conversion from MCI to dementia. Yet, how midbrain degeneration could cause disease progression, and what mechanisms are involved in triggering neuroinflammation in midbrain-target areas such as the hippocampus remain unexplored.

Methods

Using adult C57BL/6N mice we generated a new mouse model carrying lesions in three midbrain nuclei, the dopaminergic Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the sero

SUBMITTER: La Barbera L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12516900 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature