Effects of pathological Tau on hippocampal neuronal activity and spatial memory in ageing mice
Pub chat after the talk. Details will be announced at the beginning of the talk
The gradual accumulation of hyperphosphorylated forms of the Tau protein (pTau) in the human brain correlate with cognitive dysfunction and neurodegeneration. I will present our recent findings on the consequences of human pTau aggregation in the hippocampal formation of a mouse tauopathy model. We show that pTau preferentially accumulates in deep-layer pyramidal neurons, leading to their neurodegeneration. In aged but not younger mice, pTau spreads to oligodendrocytes. During ‘goal-directed’ navigation, we detect fewer high-firing pyramidal cells, but coupling to network oscillations is maintained in the remaining cells. The firing patterns of individually recorded and labelled pyramidal and GABAergic neurons are similar in transgenic and non-transgenic mice, as are network oscillations, suggesting intact neuronal coordination. This is consistent with a lack of pTau in subcortical brain areas that provide rhythmic input to the cortex. Spatial memory tests reveal a reduction in short-term familiarity of spatial cues but unimpaired spatial working and reference memory. These results suggest that preserved subcortical network mechanisms compensate for the widespread pTau aggregation in the hippocampal formation. I will also briefly discuss ideas on the subcortical origins of spatial memory and the concept of the cortex as a monitoring device.
Date:
11 February 2022, 16:00 (Friday, 4th week, Hilary 2022)
Venue:
Sherrington Building, off Parks Road OX1 3PT
Venue Details:
Blakemore Theater; If you cannot enter Sherrington Building, please email antaramaj16@gmail.com and we will send someone to open the front doors for you.
Speaker:
Dr Tim Viney (Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford)
Organiser:
Cortex Club (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address:
cortex.club@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk
Host:
Cortex Club (University of Oxford)
Part of:
Cortex Club - Oxford Neuroscience Society
Booking required?:
Not required
Booking url:
https://www.cortexclub.com/upcoming-events
Booking email:
cortex.club@studentclubs.ox.ac.uk
Audience:
Public
Editor:
Antara Majumdar
