Effects of the Ependymin Mimic BTX-1039 on Spatial Memory in a 12-month-old Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the leading causes of death worldwide, is associated with the increased accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain. Neurotrophic factors, which aid neuronal growth and survival, have... [ view full abstract ]

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the leading causes of death worldwide, is associated with the increased accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain. Neurotrophic factors, which aid neuronal growth and survival, have shown promise for treating AD symptoms. We tested the effectiveness of a growth factor mimetic (BTX-1039) in the treatment of spatial memory deficits in 12-month-old transgenic mice. Wild type and AD mice were given i.p. injections of 60 mg/kg BTX-1039, 100 mg/kg BTX-1039 or saline for a period of 14 days prior to beginning testing. Upon completion of injections, mice were tested in a Morris Water Maze (MWM) filled with opaque water for ten days to assess spatial memory. These ten days consisted of six days of submerged trials, one probe day, and three days of cued trials during which mice learned the location of the platform during the submerged trials, were tested for their retention of that memory in the probe trial, and finally assessed for their ability to escape the maze in the cued trials. Mice were euthanized the day after testing concluded and perfused brain tissue was extracted. Behavioral data is currently being analyzed and brain tissue is being processed for use in histological analysis of Aβ buildup. Preliminary behavioral results provide some evidence of improved memory retention in AD mice treated with BTX-1039 during the probe trial. Additionally, the AD mice generally performed worse than the wild type mice, indicating a strain effect on memory.