Abstract:
Aluminum (Al) causes neurodegeneration and its toxic effects on cholinergic system in the brain are well documented. Al is associated with etiology of many neurodegenerative diseases specially Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and is known to produce AD like symptoms.We studied the neurotoxic mechanisms of Al on cholinergic system. Mice were treated with AlCl3 (250mg/kg) through oral route for 42 days. The study was aimed to determine the effect of Al on hippocampus, cortex and amygdala dependent learning and memory functions, expression of nAChRs and on cholinergic biomarkers i.e. Acetylcholine (Ach) level, free choline level and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) gene expression.The results of this study demonstrate that oral Al ingestion causes high Al accumulation in brain leading to neuropathological changes that suppress expression of nAChR genes and cause neurodegeneration. In addition, Al exposure via drinking water causes reduced Ach synthesis in spite of normal free choline availability. This deficit is caused by reduced recycling of Ach due to lower ChAT level.The cholinergic hypofunction leads to cognitive and memory deficits. Moreover, hippocampus is the most affected brain part after Al intoxication. This study will help to understand the possible mechanism of cognitive decline induced by Al.
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Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on 9th Annual Neuroscience Conference (ANC-23) August 12-13, 2023 , Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023