The effects of voluntary exposure to an enriched environment on olfactory function in Alzheimer’s Bace1 mice models

Bryan, Jessica

The effects of voluntary exposure to an enriched environment on olfactory function in Alzheimer’s Bace1 mice models

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/41560

Author(s)

Bryan, Jessica

Date Issued

April 2016

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a type of dementia identified by deterioration in memory, cognitive abilities, language and motor skills. It occurs when there is an accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, accompanied by neurofibrillary tangles. The accumulation causes neuronal death, which severely impacts cognition. Drug therapies may aid in treating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, but do not prevent or cure AD. Exercise and cognitive rehabilitation have been shown to improve cognitive functioning in AD patients. Providing an enriched environment to promote physical activity and stimulate cognitive capacities may be an effective way to manage AD. Because decline in olfactory function is often correlated with the progression of AD, I tested the hypothesis that environmental enrichment and exercise would slow the deterioration of olfactory performance in AD model mice. Twelve Alzheimer’s Bace1tm1Pcw mice models, originating from the Jackson Labs and bred in the Allegheny College Biology department mice model colony, were used for this study. Three different age groups of four mice each were used: 7 weeks, 4 months, and ~5 months old. Two mice from each age group were assigned to treatment and control groups. Treatment Bace1 mice were exposed to enriched environment activities for 3+ hours, three times a week for a six-week period. Control Bace1 mice were kept in normal cages during the entirety of the experiment. I tested olfactory function via “the hidden cookie test” at pre-treatment, during treatment, and multiple times post-treatment. Results show that deterioration of olfactory function occurred with all mice, but the treatment group showed lessened effects while the control group worsened over time. The age at which physical enrichment was initiated had no significant effect on olfactory function. My results suggest that environmental enrichment and physical activity has the potential to slow the progression of AD symptoms.

Major

Biology

Honors

Biology, 2016

First Reader(s)

Mumme, Ronald L.