Converging mechanisms for stress and diabetes in the regulation of hippocampal plasticity

Multiple organ systems are adversely affected by diabetes, including the brain, which undergoes changes that may increase the risk of cognitive decline.

As part of QBI's regular Neuroscience Seminar series, Dr Alexis Stranahan, Assistant Professor within the Department of Physiology at the Medical College of Georgia, will speak on the topic of converging mechanisms for stress and diabetes in the regulation of hippocampal plasticity.

"In this talk, I will describe the etiology of cognitive deficits associated with insulin deficient and insulin resistant diabetes, using data from rodent models," says Dr Stranahan.

"Certain forms of learning depend on changes in the strength of communication between neurons, a phenomenon known as long-term potentiation.

"I will present data to show that the induction of long-term potentiation is impaired in diabetes models. 

"The adult brain continues to generate new neurons throughout life, particularly in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in learning and memory.

"In diabetes, the rate of adult neurogenesis is reduced, and structural plasticity among the larger cohort of hippocampal neurons is suppressed."

Dr Stranahan said the expression of neurotrophic factors that support structural and functional plasticity was also reduced in rodent models of diabetes.

However, many of these processes could be reversed by attenuating the increased production of stress hormones in diabetes, raising the possibility that minimizing stress could reduce the incidence of cognitive decline among diabetics.

DETAILS
 
Date: Wednesday 11 May 2011
Time: 12:00 - 1:00PM
Speaker: Dr Alexis Stranahan
Location: Level 7 Auditorium, QBI Building (#79), St.Lucia Campus

For a list of upcoming seminars at QBI, go to http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/neuroscience-seminars
 

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