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  • Amino Acid Compound 2 (AAC2) Treatment Counteracts Insulin-Induced Synaptic Gene Expression and Seizure-Related Mortality in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

This content will become publicly available on November 1, 2025

Title: Amino Acid Compound 2 (AAC2) Treatment Counteracts Insulin-Induced Synaptic Gene Expression and Seizure-Related Mortality in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Diabetes is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amino acid compound 2 (AAC2) improves glycemic and cognitive functions in diabetic mouse models through mechanisms distinct from insulin. Our goal was to compare the effects of AAC2, insulin, and their nanofiber-forming combination on early asymptomatic AD pathogenesis in APP/PS1 mice. Insulin, but not AAC2 or the combination treatment (administered intraperitoneally every 48 h for 120 days), increased seizure-related mortality, altered the brain fat-to-lean mass ratio, and improved specific cognitive functions in APP/PS1 mice. NanoString and pathway analysis of cerebral gene expression revealed dysregulated synaptic mechanisms, with upregulation of Bdnf and downregulation of Slc1a6 in insulin-treated mice, correlating with insulin-induced seizures. In contrast, AAC2 promoted the expression of Syn2 and Syp synaptic genes, preserved brain composition, and improved survival. The combination of AAC2 and insulin counteracted free insulin’s effects. None of the treatments influenced canonical amyloidogenic pathways. This study highlights AAC2’s potential in regulating synaptic gene expression in AD and insulin-induced contexts related to seizure activity.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2106924
PAR ID:
10641875
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
MDPI
Date Published:
Journal Name:
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume:
25
Issue:
21
ISSN:
1422-0067
Page Range / eLocation ID:
11689
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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