The Effect of Alzheimer's Disease on Neurons Across the Sleep/Wake Cycle

To determine the activity disruptions in different neuronal subtypes across the sleep/wake cycle in freely behaving APP/PS1 mice, an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.

In Alzheimer’s disease, buildup of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein can result in sleep disturbances. Dr. Abedin and his team will investigate the activity of specific neuronal types in a genetically engineered mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease to understand how Aβ affects neuronal activity during the sleep/wake cycle. This research could pave the way for therapeutic development aimed at restoring abnormal neuronal activity and potentially leading to a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

The conceptual idea of monitoring neuronal activity across the sleep/wake cycle in absence of anesthesia is novel. The proposed research will adopt innovative methodologies to monitor neuronal activity across sleep/wake cycle in freely behaving mice.

Alzheimer’s patients suffer from sleep disruptions in addition to memory impairments. Successful completion of the proposed project will provide a solid foundation for future therapeutic development aimed at restoring aberrant neuronal activity during sleep and could lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.