Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
12
pubmed:dateCreated
2007-9-18
pubmed:abstractText
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory and cognitive decline that is associated with changes in synaptic plasticity and neuronal cell loss. Recent evidence suggests that some of these defects may be due to a loss of normal presenilin activity. Here, we have examined the effect of loss of Drosophila presenilin (psn) function on synaptic plasticity and learning. Basal transmitter release was elevated in psn mutants while both paired pulse synaptic plasticity and post-tetanic potentiation were impaired. These defects in synaptic strength and plasticity were not due to developmental defects in NMJ morphology. We also found that psn null terminals take up significantly less FM 4-64 than control terminals when loaded with high frequency stimulation, suggesting a defect in synaptic vesicle availability or mobilization. To determine whether these reductions in synaptic plasticity had any impact on learning, we tested the larvae for defects in associative learning. Using both olfactory and visual learning assays, we found that associative learning is impaired in psn mutants compared with controls. Both the learning and synaptic defects could be rescued by expression of a full length psn transgene suggesting the defects are specifically due to a loss of psn function. Taken together, these results provide the first evidence of learning and synaptic defects in a Drosophila psn mutant and strongly suggest a presynaptic role for presenilin in normal neuronal function.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
1932-8451
pubmed:author
pubmed:copyrightInfo
2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
67
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1598-613
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Action Potentials, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Animals, Genetically Modified, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Association Learning, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Blotting, Western, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Drosophila, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Electrophysiology, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Female, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Gene Expression, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Immunohistochemistry, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Male, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Mutation, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Neuromuscular Junction, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Neuronal Plasticity, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Neurotransmitter Agents, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Presenilins, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Presynaptic Terminals, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Synaptic Transmission, pubmed-meshheading:17562530-Synaptic Vesicles
pubmed:year
2007
pubmed:articleTitle
Presynaptic plasticity and associative learning are impaired in a Drosophila presenilin null mutant.
pubmed:affiliation
Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1L7.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't