RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 β-Amyloid Peptide at Sublethal Concentrations Downregulates Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Functions in Cultured Cortical Neurons JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 6799 OP 6809 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5463-03.2004 VO 24 IS 30 A1 Liqi Tong A1 Robert Balazs A1 Phillip L. Thornton A1 Carl W. Cotman YR 2004 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/24/30/6799.abstract AB The accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) is one of the etiological factors in Alzheimer's disease (AD). It has been assumed that the underlying mechanism involves a critical role of Aβ-induced neurodegeneration. However, low levels of Aβ, such as will accumulate during the course of the disease, may interfere with neuronal function via mechanisms other than those involving neurodegeneration. We have been testing, therefore, the hypothesis that Aβ at levels insufficient to cause degeneration (sublethal) may interfere with critical signal transduction processes. In cultured cortical neurons Aβ at sublethal concentrations interferes with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-induced activation of the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt pathways. The effect of sublethal Aβ1-42 on BDNF signaling results in the suppression of the activation of critical transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein and Elk-1 and cAMP response element-mediated and serum response element-mediated transcription. The site of interference with the Ras/ERK and PI3-K/Akt signaling is downstream of the TrkB receptor and involves docking proteins insulin receptor substrate-1 and Shc, which convey receptor activation to the downstream effectors. The functional consequences of Aβ interference with signaling are robust, causing increased vulnerability of neurons, abrogating BDNF protection against DNA damage- and trophic deprivation-induced apoptosis. These new findings suggest that Aβ engenders a dysfunctional encoding state in neurons and may initiate and/or contribute to cognitive deficit at an early stage of AD before or along with neuronal degeneration.