The Role of GSK3beta in neuronal metabolism in the aging brain
Dr. Anderson and her group are looking at the changes in brain metabolism that occur naturally with age. It is believed that these changes create vulnerability for a range of diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, by compromising cellular function.
An enzyme known as GSK3b (glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta) promotes
amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that arise in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Anderson’s lab recently showed that levels of this enzyme are lower in the brains of monkeys that are protected from age-related brain atrophy by the dietary intervention of caloric restriction. Her group also found that GSK3b also regulates energy metabolism.
Dr. Anderson hypothesizes that age- and/or Alzheimer’s disease-induced activation of GSK3b also causes metabolic dysfunction in hippocampal neurons that contributes directly to disease progression. She will test that hypothesis with the hope of identifying neuronal processes that are responsive to changes in GSK3b, including cellular structure, metabolism, gene expression and cellular signaling pathways. Her work will advance our knowledge of the aging brain and identify factors that contribute to age-related cognitive impairment and to the age-related increase in vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease.