Naturally occurring and experimentally induced beta-amyloid deposits in the brains of marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).
Cerebral beta-amyloid occurs in elderly animals of some species and in Alzheimer's disease. Previously, we injected 3 young marmosets intracerebrally with brain tissue from a patient with Alzheimer's disease. Six years later, when the monkeys were middle aged, we found moderate numbers of intracerebral plaques and cerebrovascular deposits containing beta-amyloid. We have re-examined these brains and those of 10 other marmosets injected with brain homogenate containing beta-amyloid, and have found some beta-amyloid in animals injected more than 4 years previously. We have found beta-amyloid in 4 of 26 elderly control marmosets, but not in 9 young to middle-aged control marmosets. The beta-amyloid found in middle aged marmosets injected with Alzheimer brain tissue was, therefore, not a consequence of their age. Deposits in large cerebral vessels in elderly marmosets, and in marmosets previously injected with brain tissue containing beta-amyloid, reacted with antibodies to Abeta and Abeta1-40; plaques and microvessel deposits reacted with antibodies to Abeta and Abeta1-42.
Maclean
C J
CJ
MRC Comparative Cognition Team, Department of Experimental Psychology, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Baker
H F
HF
Ridley
R M
RM
Mori
H
H
D000367:Age Factors; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002144:Callithrix; D016657:Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides