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Phenotypic Pattern of Astrocyte Activation in Response to Aging and Alzheimer's-Like Pathology in Chimpanzees

Munger, Emily LaRee

Abstract Details

2016, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Anthropology.
Astrocytes play a unique role in human evolution and are essential for normal cognitive function. Some degree of astrocyte activation is associated with normal aging and neuropathological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Astrocyte activation is marked by increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and cell hypertrophy. However, little is known about how astrocytes respond to aging and pathology in our closest living relative, the chimpanzee. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of age and Alzheimer’s-like pathology on astrocyte GFAP expression and soma volume in a large sample of aged chimpanzees. Stereologic methods were used to quantify immunohistochemically-stained sections for GFAP-positive astrocyte density and soma volume in layers I, III, and V of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and middle temporal gyrus, as well as hippocampal subfields CA1 and CA3. We found that the observed pattern of astrocyte morphology in the aged chimpanzee brain is distinct from humans. GFAP expression does not increase with age in this sample which is suggestive of either a lower oxidative stress load with age or the existence of a protective mechanism. Alternatively, the sample age range in this study was too limited to detect an aging pattern due to a lack of younger individuals. In terms of Alzheimer’s pathology, our study revealed that layer I of the PFC is uniquely vulnerable to pathology. Layer I astrocytes exhibited a great degree of activation which was positively correlated with the presence of pathological markers. Primate-specific interlaminar astrocytes are found in layer I of the PFC and their disruption may contribute to a specific vulnerability to pathology which could lead to the early loss of working memory in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
Mary Ann Raghanti (Advisor)
99 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Munger, E. L. (2016). Phenotypic Pattern of Astrocyte Activation in Response to Aging and Alzheimer's-Like Pathology in Chimpanzees [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1467887282

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Munger, Emily. Phenotypic Pattern of Astrocyte Activation in Response to Aging and Alzheimer's-Like Pathology in Chimpanzees. 2016. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1467887282.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Munger, Emily. "Phenotypic Pattern of Astrocyte Activation in Response to Aging and Alzheimer's-Like Pathology in Chimpanzees." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1467887282

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)