Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Neurological impairment caused by Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and the associated memory loss is an ever-increasing health burden. AD is a complex condition with multiple aspects affecting memory formation and brain health. Identifying vulnerability in a cell-specific manner in the nervous system can explain how different brain areas may be susceptible to specific types of environmental insults leading to cell death. Physical activity and exercise are known to enhance the well-being of people, especially in the aged population. Two crucial factors that decrease or increase susceptibility to AD are exercise and sex, respectively. This proposal employs innovative approaches to address this critical gap in knowledge. We used state-of-the-art technology to collect information about the different types of cells from the mouse brain region responsible for learning and memory in normal and mice with memory deficits (AD mice). We identified several genes impacted by AD that can be recovered by mice doing exercise. Several genes are important for new neuron formation and thus help maintain learning and memory. This grant, if funded, will add more knowledge to healthy aging with Alzheimer's Disease with simple interventions such as exercise. This research will also lead to novel gene therapies based on the newly discovered genes where exercise is impossible in very aged populations.