Identifying new Alzheimer’s genes based on LTP-induced expression change differences

Synaptic dysfunction is an important pathological hallmark and causing factor of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). High frequency stimulation-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) has been widely used to study synaptic plasticity; and impaired LTP has been found in AD. However, the exact molecular mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity and LTP has yet to be completely elucidated. Whether genes/proteins regulating synaptic plasticity/LTP are altered in AD and contribute to disease progression also remains to be deciphered. Herein, we propose that by comparing the difference between LTP-induced gene/protein expression changes in AD and control mice, we may identify new genes/proteins that not only regulate synaptic plasticity/LTP, but also lead to AD progression when their expression response to LTP is altered.