Researchers are investigating the effects of a tau aggregation inhibitor on syn...
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Researchers are investigating the effects of a tau aggregation inhibitor on synaptic structure and function in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. You are given the following experimental data:
Group
|
Spine Density (spines/μm)
|
Synaptic Plasticity (LTP%)
|
Cognitive Performance (Maze Test Time)
|
Healthy Control (n=12)
|
1.2
|
150%
|
40 sec
|
Untreated AD Model (n=11)
|
0.5
|
85%
|
120 sec
|
AD + Tau Inhibitor Drug (n=13)
|
1.0
|
135%
|
55 sec
|
Task:
Using the data above and your understanding of Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology, write a response that explains
- The role of tau protein in healthy neurons
,
and how
tau pathologyaffects dendritic structure and synaptic
plasticity in Alzheimer’s disease
- How the tau aggregation inhibitor
appears to be changing synaptic structure and function in all the groups,
based on the experimental data
How these cellular-level changes correlate
with the observed differences in
maze performance between groups
[10 marks, 10 minutes]
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