Induction of presenilins in the rat brain after middle cerebral arterial occlusion

In the present study, we have examined the expression of both presenilins i n the rat hippocampus, cortex, striatum, and cerebellum after middle cerebr al artery occlusion (MCA-O), an animal model of ischemia, The cortex showed the greatest increase in PS mRNA levels (7-10-fold) at 4 and 8 days posttr eatment. Presenilin-1 (PS-1) levels in the contralateral cortex were signif icantly increased 1 day after MCA-O. In comparison, PS mRNA content was onl y modestly elevated in the hippocampus and striatum at 4 and 8 days after M CA-O (30-100% changes). Other Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related genes, amylo id precursor protein and apolipoprotein E, are induced in brain injury sugg esting that these AD-related genes may well be components of a brain-injury response. Thus, a breakdown in this response via cerebrovascular disease a nd/or genetic mutation may contribute to AD pathology. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc ience Inc.