31st Annual Student Research Conference
Morphometric Analysis of Neuronal Structures through Ventricle Injections of Streptozotocin in Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Chuma M. Humphrey
Dr. Tim Ostrowski (ATSU) and Dr. Timothy D. Walston, Faculty Mentors
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a dementia that comprises progressive deterioration of brain tissue. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced AD in rats is widely used to identify the underlying mechanisms of sporadic AD. Since STZ concentrations vary greatly in current literature, we analyzed the dose-response relationship (1.5 to 2.5 mg/kg STZ, n= 7-8/group) on brain morphology in three distinct regions. The lateral ventricle size (STZ injection site) increases with increasing dose of STZ. A significant difference to vehicle (control) was observed with 2.5 mg/kg STZ (p=0.038). The effect on structures associated with memory were variable. Cortex thickness did not change with any dose of STZ. Hippocampal size, however, declined overtime with increasing STZ concentration (control vs. 2.5 mg/kg STZ, p=0.040). STZ concentration furthermore correlated positively with higher occurrence of lesions in the hippocampus. Thus, lower doses of STZ in this model may be beneficial to prevent adverse effects.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease , Hippocampus, Brain Morphology, Dementia, Streptozotocin, STZ, Cortex
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 105-4
Location: MG 2001
Time: 8:45