Impact of Hyperhomocysteinemia and Different Dietary Interventions on Cognitive Performance in a Knock-in Mouse Model for Alzheimer’s Disease

oleh: Hendrik Nieraad, Natasja de Bruin, Olga Arne, Martine C. J. Hofmann, Mike Schmidt, Takashi Saito, Takaomi C. Saido, Robert Gurke, Dominik Schmidt, Uwe Till, Michael J. Parnham, Gerd Geisslinger

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2020-10-01

Deskripsi

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is considered a possible contributor to the complex pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). For years, researchers in this field have discussed the apparent detrimental effects of the endogenous amino acid homocysteine in the brain. In this study, the roles of hyperhomocysteinemia driven by vitamin B deficiency, as well as potentially beneficial dietary interventions, were investigated in the novel <i>App<sup>NL-G-F</sup></i> knock-in mouse model for AD, simulating an early stage of the disease. Methods: Urine and serum samples were analyzed using a validated LC-MS/MS method and the impact of different experimental diets on cognitive performance was studied in a comprehensive behavioral test battery. Finally, we analyzed brain samples immunohistochemically in order to assess amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition. Results: Behavioral testing data indicated subtle cognitive deficits in <i>App<sup>NL-G-F</sup></i> compared to C57BL/6J wild type mice. Elevation of homocysteine and homocysteic acid, as well as counteracting dietary interventions, mostly did not result in significant effects on learning and memory performance, nor in a modified Aβ plaque deposition in 35-week-old <i>App<sup>NL-G-F</sup></i> mice. Conclusion: Despite prominent Aβ plaque deposition, the <i>App<sup>NL-G-F</sup></i> model merely displays a very mild AD-like phenotype at the investigated age. Older <i>App<sup>NL-G-F</sup></i> mice should be tested in order to further investigate potential effects of hyperhomocysteinemia and dietary interventions.