Staged decline of neuronal function in vivo in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease

  • Christine Grienberger
  • , Nathalie L. Rochefort
  • , Helmuth Adelsberger
  • , Horst A. Henning
  • , Daniel N. Hill
  • , Julia Reichwald
  • , Matthias Staufenbiel
  • , Arthur Konnerth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

116 Scopus citations

Abstract

The accumulation of amyloid-2 in the brain is an essential feature of Alzheimer's disease. However, the impact of amyloid- 2-accumulation on neuronal dysfunction on the single cell level in vivo is poorly understood. Here we investigate the progression of amyloid-β load in relation to neuronal dysfunction in the visual system of the APP23×PS45 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging in the visual cortex, we demonstrate that a progressive deterioration of neuronal tuning for the orientation of visual stimuli occurs in parallel with the age-dependent increase of the amyloid-β load. Importantly, we find this deterioration only in neurons that are hyperactive during spontaneous activity. This impairment of visual cortical circuit function also correlates with pronounced deficits in visual-pattern discrimination. Together, our results identify distinct stages of decline in sensory cortical performance in vivo as a function of the increased amyloid-β-load.

Original languageEnglish
Article number774
JournalNature Communications
Volume3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Staged decline of neuronal function in vivo in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this