Effects of Chronic Pharmacological SERCA Activation on Cognitive Behaviors, Dendritic Spine Density and Aminoacidergic Neurochemistry

Effects of Chronic Pharmacological SERCA Activation on Cognitive Behaviors, Dendritic Spine Density and Aminoacidergic Neurochemistry

Presenter(s)

Carter J. Moore

Comments

Presentation: 1:00-1:20, LTC Forum

Description

Intracellular Calcium (Ca2+) signaling plays a crucial role in a multitude of neuronal processes. These processes range from cell development and potentiation, to programed cell death, however they all share the commonality of being paramount in neuronal function. One key regulator of intracellular Ca2+ is the Sarco-Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) pump. SERCA is responsible for sequestering cytosolic Ca2+ into the ER, a major site for Ca2+ storage. Due to its importance in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis, it comes as no surprise that dysfunction of SERCA has been shown to be involved in various neuropsychiatric diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and Schizophrenia. Consequently, drugs that affect SERCA are of high interest for future therapeutic treatments, but the role that SERCA plays in the brain and behavior is not well understood. In the context of the current study, we assessed the effects of chronic pharmacological SERCA activation using the drug CDN1163 on learning and memory processes, as well as on aminoacidergic neurochemical responses and dendritic spine density in brain regions implicated in cognitive processes in mice of both sexes.

Publication Date

4-17-2024

Project Designation

Graduate Research

Primary Advisor

Pothitos Pitychoutis

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship

Effects of Chronic Pharmacological SERCA Activation on Cognitive Behaviors, Dendritic Spine Density and Aminoacidergic Neurochemistry

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