Tau pathology induces loss of GABAergic interneurons leading to altered synaptic plasticity and behavioral impairments. Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Tau is a microtubule stabilizing protein and is mainly expressed in neurons. Tau aggregation into oligomers and tangles is considered an important pathological event in tauopathies, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tauopathies are also associated with deficits in synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP), but the specific role of tau in the manifestation of these deficiencies is not well-understood. We examined long lasting forms of synaptic plasticity in JNPL3 (BL6) mice expressing mutant tau that is identified in some inherited FTDs. RESULTS: We found that aged (>12 months) JNPL3 (BL6) mice exhibit enhanced hippocampal late-phase (L-LTP), while young JNPL3 (BL6) mice (age 6 months) displayed normal L-LTP. This enhanced L-LTP in aged JNPL3 (BL6) mice was rescued with the GABAAR agonist, zolpidem, suggesting a loss of GABAergic function. Indeed, we found that mutant mice displayed a reduction in hippocampal GABAergic interneurons. Finally, we also found that expression of mutant tau led to severe sensorimotor-gating and hippocampus-dependent memory deficits in the aged JNPL3 (BL6) mice. CONCLUSIONS: We show for the first time that hippocampal GABAergic function is impaired by pathological tau protein, leading to altered synaptic plasticity and severe memory deficits. Increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the synaptic failure in AD and FTD is critical to identifying targets for therapies to restore cognitive deficiencies associated with tauopathies.

publication date

  • July 11, 2013

has subject area

Date in CU Experts

  • October 31, 2014 4:45 AM

Full Author List

  • Levenga J; Krishnamurthy P; Rajamohamedsait H; Wong H; Franke TF; Cain P; Sigurdsson EM; Hoeffer CA

author count

  • 8

Other Profiles

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2051-5960

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 34

volume

  • 1