Chunk #35 — Converging Pathways Implicated in Neurogenesis and AD Pathology — Wnt, reelin and the low-density lipoprotein receptor family in neurogenesis and AD
it has also been shown that lithium could ameliorate neurodegeneration induced by Aβ fibrils and improve memory performance in rats (De Ferrari et al., 2003). However, the potential effects of lithium on Aβ pathology remain controversial as a more recent publication has contradicted the effect of lithium on Aβ production and memory but confirmed a role in blocking tau pathology in 3×Tg (APP/PS1/tau transgenic) mice (Caccamo et al., 2007). Aβ has been shown to antagonize wnt signaling through the induction of the Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) Wnt inhibitor producing a potential negative feedback loop promoting AD (Caricasole et al., 2004). Also, recently Dickkopf-1 down regulation by estrogen was found to reduce tau phosphorylation during cerebral ischemia (Zhang et al., 2008b). Lastly, genetic linkage analysis has found an association between the Wnt co-receptor LRP6 and risk of developing AD (De Ferrari et al., 2007).
