Hijazi, Sara, Heistek, Tim S, Scheltens, Philip, Neumann, Ulf, Shimshek, Derya, Mansvelder, Huibert D, Smit, August D and van Kesteren, Ronald E (2019) Early restoration of parvalbumin interneuron activity prevents memory loss and network hyperexcitability in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Biological psychiatry.

Abstract

Neuronal network dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an early symptom in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may provide new entry points for diagnosis and intervention. Here, we show that amyloid-beta (Aβ)-induced hyperexcitability of hippocampal inhibitory parvalbumin (PV) interneurons contributes importantly to neuronal network dysfunction and memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice, a mouse model of increased amyloidosis. We demonstrate that hippocampal PV interneurons become hyperexcitable at ~16 weeks of age, when no changes are observed yet in the intrinsic properties of pyramidal cells. This hyperexcitable state of PV interneurons coincides with increased inhibitory transmission onto hippocampal pyramidal neurons and deficits in spatial learning and memory. We show that treatment aimed at preventing PV interneurons from becoming hyperexcitable is sufficient to restore PV interneuron properties to wildtype levels, reduce inhibitory input onto pyramidal cells, and rescue memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice. Importantly, we demonstrate that early intervention aimed at restoring PV interneuron activity has long-term beneficial effects on memory and hippocampal network activity, and reduces amyloid plaque deposition, a hallmark of AD pathology. Taken together, these findings suggest that early treatment of PV interneuron hyperactivity might be clinically relevant in preventing memory decline and potentially delaying AD progression.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Alzheimer's disease, BACE inhibitor, APP transgenic mouse model
Date Deposited:	04 Sep 2019 00:45
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2019 00:45
URI:	https://oak.novartis.com/id/eprint/39335