Project Number: 1235-51520-037-01
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Jan 01, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2009

Objective:
The primary objective of this work is to determine if compounds found in cinnamon protect neurons from amyloid beta toxicity-a model of Alzheimer's disease.

Approach:
Primary rat cortical neuronal cultures (12 DIV) will be treated with AB 25-35 (25-50um) for 24 hours with or without the cinnamon extract 0.05 - 0.25 mg/ml). Doses have been chosen based on our earlier published studies of cinnamon extract in rat epididymal adipocytes and tumor cell lines. At the end of the treatment, neurons will be processed for viability by measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase into the media, using an LDH assay kit (Biovision, Mountain View, CA). We will also determine if cinnamon extract can protect against AB-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, namely depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential and opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. In addition, we will determine whether the cinnamon extract exerts its protective effects by activating the insulin signaling pathway by measuring protein levels of total and phosphorylated Akt by western blots. These studies are designed to evaluate the link between insulin, polyphenols from cinnamon, and Alzheimer's disease. We have isolated and characterized components found in cinnamon that improve the function of insulin. Recently, Alzheimer's disease was shown to be associated with decreased insulin sensitivity. In this study, we will determine if polyphenols found in cinnamon decrease risk factors associated Alzheimer's disease in a cell culture model and determine the link of insulin potentiating polyphenols found in cinnamon and Alzheimer's disease.