title: Characterization of an experimental autoimmune dementia model in the rat.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other age-related cognitive deficits are associated with autoimmune phenomena. We recently showed that AD sera contain IgG that binds specifically to the heavy molecular weight neurofilament protein (NF-H) of Torpedo cholinergic neurons. We presently examined the behavioral effects of the induction of such antibodies in rats by prolonged immunization with Torpedo cholinergic NF-H. Immunohistochemical studies revealed the accumulation of IgG in the septum and hippocampus and in white matter tracts of these rats. T-maze alternation and discrimination tests revealed that immunization impaired the short-term working memory of the rats but had no effect on their reference memory. This impairment in short-term memory was reversed by treatment with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. This animal model, termed experimental autoimmune dementia (EAD), may replicate immunologically induced pathogenic processes in AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Michaelson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alroy
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feldon
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000737:chemistry; D003071:Cognition; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008954:Models, Biological; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins