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Amyloidogenic proteins (Abeta peptide) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and alpha-synuclein (alpha-Syn) in Parkinson's disease (PD) are typically soluble monomeric precursors, which undergo remarkable conformational changes and culminate in the form of aggregates in diseased condition. Overlap of clinical and neuropathological features of both AD and PD are observed in dementia with Lewy body (DLB) disease, the second most common form of dementia after AD. The identification of a 35-amino acid fragment of alpha-Syn in the amyloid plaques in DLB brain have raised the possibility that Abeta and alpha-Syn interact with each other. In this report, the molecular interaction of alpha-Syn with Abeta40 and/or Abeta42 are investigated using multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. NMR data in the membrane mimic environment indicate specific sites of interaction between membrane-bound alpha-Syn with Abeta peptide and vice versa. These Abeta-alpha-Syn interactions are demonstrated by reduced amide peak intensity or change in chemical shift of amide proton of the interacting proteins. Based on NMR results, the plausible molecular mechanism of overlapping pathocascade of AD and PD in DLB due to interactions between alpha-Syn and Abeta is described. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report using multidimensional NMR spectroscopy that elucidates molecular interactions between Abeta and alpha-Syn which may lead to onset of DLB.

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SummaryWith longevity, postoperative cognitive decline in the elderly has emerged as a major health concern for which several factors have been implicated, one of the most recent being the role of anaesthetics. Interactions of anaesthetic agents and different targets have been studied at the molecular, cellular and structural anatomical levels. Recent in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies have shown that several anaesthetics act on the oligomerisation of amyloid b peptide. Uncontrolled production, oligomerisation and deposition of amyloid b peptide, with subsequent development of amyloid plaques,

With millions of older individuals presently suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) worldwide, AD is an unduly common form of dementia that exacts a heavy toll on affected individuals and their families. One of the emerging causative factors associated with AD pathology is oxidative stress. This AD-related increase in oxidative stress has been attributed to decreased levels of the brain antioxidant, glutathione (GSH). In this article, we review the role of GSH in AD from a pathological as well as a diagnostic point of view. We recapitulate the literature that has assessed the role of GSH in AD onset and progression. We discuss the various methodologies through which alterations in GSH levels might be monitored, and highlight the yet uncharted potential of assaying GSH levels in vivo with magnetic resonance spectroscopy in AD therapeutics and prognostics. Finally, the present manuscript integrates findings from various studies to elucidate the possible molecular mechanisms through which disruptions in GSH homeostasis may contribute to AD pathology.

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ABSTRACT:Much of the progress in NMR applications over the last decade has stemmed from the development of proton-detected, heteronuclear multidimensional spectroscopy. The basic building blocks of the multitude of double and triple resonance experiments available today are the heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (HMQC) and heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) experiments. The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive, pedagogical description of these two pulse sequences, with the aid of product operator formalism. Building from basic principles, constant-time experiments, sensitivity-enhanced techniques and the role of pulsed-field gradients for coherence transfer pathway selection are explained in detail. This article is intended to be used as a primer for students and researchers seeking a firm theoretical understanding of the fundamental tools of modern NMR pulse sequences.

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