Normalization of hyperhomocysteinemia improves cognitive deficits and ameliorates brain amyloidosis of a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

ABSTRACT: Hyperhomocysteine (HHcy) is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we showed that diet-induced HHcy accelerated the AD-like phenotype of a transgenic mouse model, i.e., Tg2576. In the present work, we tested whether an HHcy-lowering strategy in this model would be beneficial. Tg2576 mice received methionine-rich or regular chow diet for 5 mo. Next, while the chow control group was kept on the same regimen, the other mice were randomized into two groups: one was kept on the methionine-rich diet (Met On), the other switched to chow (Met Off). Compared with controls, 5 mo on the methionine-rich diet resulted in HHcy (plasma Hcy level, treated: 12.7±1.2 μM vs. control: 3.1±0.4 μM) and significant behavioral impairments (% freezing, treated: 2.4±1.4% vs. control: 19.

SUBMITTER: Zhuo JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2996912 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature