32nd Annual Student Research Conference
Insulin Signaling in Brain Areas Important for Breathing and its Link to Alzheimer Disease
Mason J. Wilcox* and Marissa B. Banks
Dr. Daniela Ostrowski, Faculty Mentor
Insulin is a hormone that binds to its receptor on body cells and aids the absorption and utilization of glucose as an energy resource. Loss of insulin receptors in the brain induces cell death resulting in dementias including Alzheimer’s disease (often referred to as Type III diabetes). Besides memory loss, patients often suffer from a decrease in cardiovascular and breathing (respiration) function. Our research aims to identify the involvement of insulin signaling on respiratory changes in Alzheimer’s disease. Brain sections of either control of Alzheimer’s induced rats will be stained with a fluorescent-labeled antibody for the insulin receptor. We will analyze the types of brain cells (neuron or glial cells) that express the insulin receptor in brain sections important for breathing (e.g. the nucleus tractus solitarius) and compare its expression intensity between control and Alzheimer’s induced rats.
Keywords: Alzheimer, Insulin, Respiration, Memory
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 8-4
Location: SUB GEO
Time: 3:00