FAS Abstracts 2004 Meeting Page

Biological Sciences (BIO D): BIO-33

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Reversal of b-amyloid toxicity on septal neurons by growth factors and estrogen. P. ASSIS, A.J. SANCHEZ, H. DOWLING, B.R. GARCIA and L.M. MUDD. School of Natural and Health Sciences, Barry University, 11300 NE 2^nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161. The septal nucleus is at particular risk in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) where senile plaques have been found that contain high concentrations of b-amyloid (BA). A treatment of 10uM BA has been found to decrease the survival of septal neurons and an attempt is made here to reverse the effects of BA by subsequent treatment with growth factors and estrogen. Cells were cultured in bilaminar planes of astrocytes and neurons from day 16 embryonic rats. Neuronal survival was measured by fluorescence. BA (10uM) treatment was administered on day in vitro (DIV) 1 and DIV 4 followed by estrogen (10nM), insulin-like growth factor I and II (10ng/ml), basic fibroblast growth factor (5ng/ml) or nerve growth factor (100ng/ml) on DIV 4 and 5. IGFII appeared to have the greatest effect (55.3%). Supported by NIH MBRS grants #45455 and Rise #IR25 GM9244.