Loss of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (Pink1) reduces hippocampal tyrosine hydroxylase and impairs learning and memory.

ABSTRACT: Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced kinase 1 (Pink1) is involved in mitochondrial quality control, which is essential for maintaining energy production and minimizing oxidative damage from dysfunctional/depolarized mitochondria. Pink1 mutations are the second most common cause of autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition to characteristic motor impairments, PD patients also commonly exhibit cognitive impairments. As the hippocampus plays a prominent role in cognition, we tested if loss of Pink1 in mice influences learning and memory. While wild-type mice were able to perform a contextual discrimination task, age-matched Pink1 knockout (Pink1^-/-) mice showed an impaired ability to differentiate between two similar contexts. Similarl

SUBMITTER: Maynard ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6984002 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature