The target of the proposal is to identify pre-degenerative/premotor molecular and cellular alterations, that initiate and contribute to early structural synaptic and axonal dopaminergic damage in the Caudate-Putamen (CPu) of mice that model Parkinson’s disease (PD)-like pathology, in order to delineate new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that can be translated to the clinic to healing dopaminergic neurodegeneration. To achieve this target, we will use classical neuropathological and functional investigations and advanced microscopy techniques to correlate molecular/structural imaging with data obtained from MRI and PET analysis. This strategy will help to clarify whether and how key events involved in PD pathogenesis, such as alpha-synuclein (AS) pathology, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial derangement, can trigger synaptic and axonal damage detectable by brain imaging to provide very early diagnostic markers of PD. The project will also evaluate the effects of novel neuroprotective compounds (some of them under patent), which may be used to counteract the neuronal demise underlying PD. The deliverables of this project own great potential of scientific and technological advancement in PD research, with significant social and economic impact.
Molecular and imaging prodromal markers of dopamine neuron degeneration in animal models of Parkinson’s disease: pathophysiology and clinical perspectives
Morari M.;Mercatelli D.;Brugnoli A.;Celeghini C.;Pisanò CA
2019
Abstract
The target of the proposal is to identify pre-degenerative/premotor molecular and cellular alterations, that initiate and contribute to early structural synaptic and axonal dopaminergic damage in the Caudate-Putamen (CPu) of mice that model Parkinson’s disease (PD)-like pathology, in order to delineate new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that can be translated to the clinic to healing dopaminergic neurodegeneration. To achieve this target, we will use classical neuropathological and functional investigations and advanced microscopy techniques to correlate molecular/structural imaging with data obtained from MRI and PET analysis. This strategy will help to clarify whether and how key events involved in PD pathogenesis, such as alpha-synuclein (AS) pathology, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial derangement, can trigger synaptic and axonal damage detectable by brain imaging to provide very early diagnostic markers of PD. The project will also evaluate the effects of novel neuroprotective compounds (some of them under patent), which may be used to counteract the neuronal demise underlying PD. The deliverables of this project own great potential of scientific and technological advancement in PD research, with significant social and economic impact.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
