AAIC 2021 | APP/PS1 mutations associated with earlier cognitive decline in offspring rodents

Pamela Ferreira, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, describes a rodent study investigating early changes in memory and brain metabolism in the offspring of mothers harboring APP/PS1 mutations. Previous studies suggest there is an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) if there is a maternal history of the disease, compared to a paternal history. Her team compared rats born to AD-Tg mothers harboring APP/PS1 mutations and wild-type (WT) fathers to rats born to WT mothers and Tg-AD fathers. The results showed that memory disturbances and brain glucose metabolism abnormalities occurred earlier in those born to mutant mothers compared to those born to WT mothers. Dr Ferreira explains that further experiments are needed to understand why this occurs. This interview took place during the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), 2021.