Establishment of an animal model of cognitive deficit which is useful for exploring nutritional prophylaxis

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15797
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 38050:Food sciences-related
• Research Institution: Meijo University
• Principal Investigator: Nagasawa Mao 名城大学, 農学部, 助教 (80759564)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 認知機能障害モデル / 想起 / トランスクリプトーム解析 / 神経炎症 / Myelination

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Memory function is consisted of three process, such as memorization - retention - retrieval. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the onset and pathophysiological mechanisms by focusing on “retrieval” which is impaired in subjects with dementia. In the hippocampus of mice with “retrieval”, mRNA expressions related to myelination were fluctuated. In addition, retrieval deficit model showed the alterations in gene expression related to neuroinflammation in hippocampus. The present results supported a hypothesis for the malfunction of myelination mediated by neuroinflammation in cognitive impairment.

Free Research Field

行動神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

既存の認知機能障害モデルは試薬の急性投与による重症度の高いモデルがほとんどである。これらのモデルは病態メカニズムの解明や治療法の探索を行う上では有効なモデルとなる。一方で、食品や食品成分を用いた栄養学的予防法を探索する上では、重篤すぎる症状ゆえにそれらの持つ予防効果を見落としがちになる。本研究で作製したモデルは「想起」の機能が完全に消失しているわけではないため、栄養学的アプローチを介した予防研究を進める上で有用なモデルと成り得る。