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An analysis of the loss of synaptic function in scrapie-infected CA1 pyramidal neurones of mouse hippocampus

ReferenceBS204809
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Nikki Macleod
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Dr Janet Fraser
Institution University of Edinburgh
DepartmentBiomedical Sciences
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 96,710
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 01/09/1995
End date 01/10/1997
Duration25 months

Abstract

We have shown that scrapie infection of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells profoundly disturbs synaptic function, revealed by the loss of extracellular field epsp and a greatly attenuated intracellular epsp-ipsp sequence in individual neurones. Scrapie infected neurones injected with an intracellular dye show extensive loss of dendritic spines, dendritic vacuolation and axonal sprouting. This project will focus on a detailed examination of the changes in synaptic and dendritic physiology that we have highlighted, looking in particular at synaptic function, dendritic calcium currents and the interaction of the primary excitatory input to the CA1 subfield with that from local inhibitory neurones. Dye-filled neurones will be reconstructed using light and electron microscopy to study the relationship between cell physiology, synapse loss and PrP deposition.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative Biology of Spongiform Encephalopathies - Phase 2 (BS2) [1993]
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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