Hannema, Romke (2018) In what way can our knowledge of the role of Ach in sleep and memory consolidation be used to benefit Alzheimer’s research? Master's Thesis / Essay, Biomedical Sciences.
|
Text
Scriptie_Draft_3.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
|
![[img]](https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
toestemming.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (93kB) |
Abstract
Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter which is involved in cognitive neural processes in the brain. It is also a neurotransmitter which is deficient in Alzheimer’s disease(AD). AD is characterized by a decline of cognitive abilities, as well as atrophy of cholinergic neurons. In this thesis, I examine the ways in which Ach is involved in several cognitive processes. I then investigate how our understanding of these processes could bring us closer to a cure for AD. ACh is essential for maintaining a circadian rhythm. It is deeply involved in memory formation and synaptic plasticity. I also find that in nearly all of these processes, ACh engages in cooperation with non-neural cells, such as astrocytes and microglia. These cells are necessary for maintaining neural health in the brain. These same cells are also deficient in AD. Due to the literary evidence for a large contribution by non-neural cells to cholinergic neural health, I propose that future AD therapy and research attempt to improve the health of the cholinergic system by targeting non-neural cells.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Havekes, R. |
| Degree programme: | Biomedical Sciences |
| Thesis type: | Master's Thesis / Essay |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Aug 2018 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Sep 2018 14:25 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/18416 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |