Steroid Hormone Regulation of Alzheimer ß Amyloid Precursor and Tau Proteins

• Applicant: Dr. Osborne Almeida
• Subject Area: Public Health, Healthcare Research, Social and Occupational Medicine
• Term: from 2000 to 2003
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5253660

Clinical studies suggest that Alzheimers disease (AD) is influenced by steroid hormones (estrogens, androgens and corticosteroids). There is a gender bias in the incidence of the disease and coincident hypercortisolemia ist observed in a large subgroup of AD patients. Sudies on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the role of steroid are however lacking. We will examine how steroid receptors regulate the transcription and/or influence the post-translational processing of several AD-related proteins (amyloid beta precursor protein (AßPP), tau protein and the presenilins) in the context of neuronal survival and cognitive performance. The possibility that one or more steroids enhance or attenuate the nerotoxic or neurotrophic potential of AD-related proteins will also be examined. In vivo animal models, including animals with altered steroid receptor or AßPP expression levels will be used, alongside with primary neuronal cell cultures and cell lines. In the in vivo work, studies will be carried out with respect to age and gender, as these are established predisposing factors to AD.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1085: Cellular Mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease
• Participating Person: Dr. Theologos Michaelidis