Acarbose improves cognitive function in a mouse model of normal aging but not Alzheimer’s disease
Discuss this preprint
Start a discussion What are Sciety discussions?Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Declines in function occur in both “normal” aging (in the absence of disease) and age-related pathological contexts, like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Whether “anti-aging” interventions (that extend lifespan) also promote cognitive function in aging and AD remains unexplored.
METHODS
We assessed the effect of acarbose (1000 ppm from 4 months of age) on spatial learning and memory using the Morris water maze in young adult (6 mo), mid-aged (12 mo), or aged (24 mo) cohorts of normal aging (Ntg-HET3) and AD-relevant (5xFAD-HET3) genetically heterogeneous mice.
RESULTS
In mid-aged and aged Ntg-HET3 mice, acarbose treatment resulted in performance equivalent to young adults. Conversely, acarbose failed to ameliorate age-related deficits in 5xFAD-HET3 mice.
DISCUSSION
This work demonstrates that anti-aging interventions can also promote cognitive longevity in normal aging. Further, it reinforces that AD is not simply accelerated aging and requires therapies beyond anti-aging interventions that target its unique molecular and cellular drivers.
