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Investigating Interventions in Alzheimer's Disease with Computer Simulation Models

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Carole Proctor, Professor Doug Gray

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Abstract

Progress in the development of therapeutic interventions to treat or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease has been hampered by lack of efficacy and unforeseen side effects in human clinical trials. This setback highlights the need for new approaches for pre-clinical testing of possible interventions. Systems modelling is becoming increasingly recognised as a valuable tool for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in ageing and age-related diseases. However, there is still a lack of awareness of modelling approaches in many areas of biomedical research. We previously developed a stochastic computer model to examine some of the key pathways involved in the aggregation of amyloid-beta (A beta) and the micro-tubular binding protein tau. Here we show how we extended this model to include the main processes involved in passive and active immunisation against A beta and then demonstrate the effects of this intervention on soluble A beta, plaques, phosphorylated tau and tangles. The model predicts that immunisation leads to clearance of plaques but only results in small reductions in levels of soluble A beta, phosphorylated tau and tangles. The behaviour of this model is supported by neuropathological observations in Alzheimer patients immunised against A beta. Since, soluble A beta, phosphorylated tau and tangles more closely correlate with cognitive decline than plaques, our model suggests that immunotherapy against A beta may not be effective unless it is performed very early in the disease process or combined with other therapies.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Proctor CJ, Boche D, Gray DA, Nicoll JAR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: PLoS ONE

Year: 2013

Volume: 8

Issue: 9

Online publication date: 16/09/2013

Acceptance date: 25/07/2013

Date deposited: 20/11/2014

ISSN (electronic): 1932-6203

Publisher: Public Library of Science

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0073631

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073631


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Alzheimer Scotland
BBSRC
Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Cancer Research Society, Inc.
ART-RF2008-3Alzheimer's Research UK

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