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We have shown that experience of transgenic mice harboring familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD)-linked AβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 in an enriched environment enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity and attenuates neuropathology. Nevertheless, the neuronal pathways activated following environmental enrichment underlying this effect are unknown. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we present preliminary evidence to show that transgenic mice, which had been housed in an enriched environment, show increased connectivity between CA1 and cortical areas compared to mice from standard housing. This is the first preliminary demonstration of live-activated neuronal pathways following environmental enrichment in FAD mice. Understanding the activated pathways may unravel the molecular mechanism underlying environmental enrichment-enhanced neuroplasticity in FAD.

IntroductionAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. The early processes of AD, however, are not fully understood and likely begin years before symptoms manifest. Importantly, disruption of the default mode network, including the hippocampus, has been implicated in AD.MethodsTo examine the role of functional network connectivity changes in the early stages of AD, we performed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) using a mouse model harboring three familial AD mutations (AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F knock-in, APPKI) in female mice in early, middle, and late age groups. The interhemispheric and intrahemispheric functional connectivity (FC) of the hippocampus was modeled across age.ResultsWe observed higher interhemispheric functional connectivity (FC) in the hippocampus across age. This was reduced, however, in APPKI mice in later age. Further, we observed loss of hemispheric asymmetry in FC in APPKI mice.DiscussionTogether, this suggests that there are early changes in hippocampal FC prior to heavy onset of amyloid β plaques, and which may be clinically relevant as an early biomarker of AD.

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We chose to focus our investigations on the effect of the active forms, TTF and AcA, rather than the whole (crude) extract. 1. To establish cultivation program designed to develop lead cultivar/s (which will be selected from the different Af accessions) with the highest yield of the active compounds TTF and/or achillolide A (AcA). These cultivar/s will be the source for the purification of large amounts of the active compounds when needed in the future for functional foods/drug development. This task was completed. 2. To determine the effect of the Af extract, TTF and AcA on neuronal vulnerability to oxidative stress in cultured neurons expressing FAD-linked mutants.Compounds were tested in N2a neuroblastoma cell line. In addition, we have tested the effects of TTF and AcA on signaling events promoted by H₂O₂ in astrocytes and by β-amyloid in neuronal N2a cells. 3. To determine the effect of the Af extract, TTF and AcA on neuropathology (amyloidosis and tau phosphorylation) in cultured neurons expressing FAD-linked mutants. 4. To determine the effect of A¦ extract, AcA and TTF on FAD-linked neuropathology (amyloidosis, tau phosphorylation and inflammation) in transgenic mice. 5. To examine whether A¦ extract, TTF and AcA can reverse behavioral deficits in APPswe/PS1DE9 mice, and affect learning and memory and cognitive performance in these FAD-linked transgenic mice. Background to the topic.Neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, glutamate toxicity and amyloid beta (Ab) toxicity are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's diseases. We have previously purified from Achilleafragrantissimatwo active compounds: a protective flavonoid named 3,5,4’-trihydroxy-6,7,3’-trimethoxyflavone (TTF, Fl-72/2) and an anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenelactone named achillolide A (AcA). Major conclusions, solutions, achievements. In this study we could show that TTF and AcA protected cultured astrocytes from H₂O₂ –induced cell death via interference with cell signaling events. TTF inhibited SAPK/JNK, ERK1/2, MEK1 and CREBphosphorylation, while AcA inhibited only ERK1/2 and MEK1 phosphorylation. In addition to its protective activities, TTF had also anti-inflammatory activities, and inhibited the LPS-elicited secretion of the proinflammatorycytokinesInterleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-1b from cultured microglial cells. Moreover, TTF and AcA protected neuronal cells from glutamate and Abcytotoxicity by reducing the glutamate and amyloid beta induced levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and via interference with cell signaling events induced by Ab. These compounds also reduced amyloid precursor protein net processing in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model for Alzheimer’s disease and improvedperformance in the novel object recognition learning and memory task. Conclusion: TTF and AcA are potential candidates to be developed as drugs or food additives to prevent, postpone or ameliorate Alzheimer’s disease. Implications, both scientific and agricultural.The synthesis ofAcA and TTF is very complicated. Thus, the plant itself will be the source for the isolation of these compounds or their precursors for synthesis. Therefore, Achilleafragrantissima could be developed into a new crop with industrial potential for the Arava-Negev area in Israel, and will generate more working places in this region.