Department: Neurobiology & Anatomy

E-mail: noel.carlson@va.gov
Address: VA-SLCHCS (151B), 500 Foothill Drive
Phone: 584-1292

Research Title: The role of COX-2 in myelin loss in Alzheimers disease

Description of Research:

Participate in one potential project in age-related research that concerns how expression of inflammatory enzymes in myelin may contribute to degeneration in the CNS. In a collaborative project with Dr John Rose (Neurology Department), we have identified that oligodendrocyte expression of some inflammatory enzymes is associated with cell death in animal models of demyelination. In vitro studies with cell culture models also indicate that these enzymes can potentially contribute to susceptibility of oligodendrocytes to injury. We plan to assess the extent to which certain inflammatory enzymes are expressed in Alzheimer‚s disease (AD) plaques to address the hypothesis that oligodendrocyte expression of these inflammatory enzymes contributes to the pathogenesis of AD. The applicant will use confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence to assess pathological changes in autopsy tissue of AD plaques and compare this to control brain samples.

Does this research involve human subjects or animals? No

If yes, what is the protocol number?

11/2008