Intracerebral administration of Wnt7a improves memory performance and increases synaptophysin expression in the 3xTg-AD mouse model.

Abstract

Wnt signaling has emerged as an important pathway involved in the expression of some Alzheimeŕs disease hallmarks. In the adult brain, Wnt signaling regulates synaptic structure and function and has a role in synaptogenesis, synaptic transmission and memory formation; therefore, its activation could have therapeutic implications in this neurodegenerative disease. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of chronic infusion of recombinant Wnt7a protein on improving memory performance and the expression of plasticity markers in a female 3xTg-AD mouse model. To this end, we analyzed behavioral outcomes through the open field and object place recognition tasks and changes in pre- and postsynaptic proteins and the neurotrophin VGF. We found a positive effect of Wnt7a on the recovery of spatial memory and the upregulation of the presynaptic marker synaptophysin, demonstrating its potential beneficial use in alleviating cognitive deficits in patients with Alzheimeŕs disease.