Investigation of low amyloid level toxicity effects on the function of hippocampal neurons

Alzheimer disease (AD) is responsible for the majority of elderly dementia cases. There are multiple mouse models of AD, however, none of them completely recapitulate human pathology. Moreover, it is even more difficult to imitate the onset of the disease in experimental models. In the current study we analyzed the influence of low amyloid level toxicity on the function of hippocampal neurons. Our assay is based on use of synthetic oligomeric amyloid beta peptides. These peptides were added to primary hippocampal cultures at a physiological nanomolar range to mimic early AD. Calcium imaging was used to evaluate the functionality of the assay. A low amyloid level toxicity assay could be useful for fundamental research as well as for testing newly developed AD drugs.