Research Project information
Principal researcher: Professor Kamran Khodakhah
Institute: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
Project Completion Date: August 2016
Project Overview
The aim of this project was to develop a mouse model of A-T which replicates the neurological symptoms of the condition which occur in human patients such as ataxia (lack of motor coordination) and cerebellar degeneration (death of neurons in the cerebellum). To date, there have been no animal models of A-T that mimic the neurological symptoms of the disease in humans. As the neurological symptoms of A-T significantly reduce the quality of life of children and adults affected; this is a very important aim. Animal models provide a valuable asset to researchers for understanding the mechanisms of a disorder and subsequently testing whether therapies or treatments are effective.
Research Methods
Using an altered approach in adult mice, professor Khodakhah and his team ‘knocked down’ the ATM gene (the gene that is faulty in A-T patients) in the cerebellum. This means that the function of the ATM gene was reduced/changed in the mice. They found that this knockdown of ATM in the cerebellum may cause ataxia and progressive cerebellar atrophy, two major hallmarks of A-T in humans.
Project Outcome
The team believe that ataxia is likely to be caused by the progressive degeneration of Purkinje cells (PCs). PCs reside in the cerebellum and play a crucial role in reliably integrating and transmitting information regarding movement, so their loss causes problems with many aspects of motor coordination. This project has delivered promising data on a mouse model that will allow researchers to explore ‘why’ loss of ATM leads to degeneration of PCs and ataxia. Specifically, by understanding how ATM maintains the normal activity of PCs, researchers can explore the possibility of preventing PC loss.
What next?
While the results presented in this study are promising, they are yet to be published and verified. In the meantime, the team will carry out further tests to determine their efficiency at knocking out ATM and hope to replicate the data using the CRISPR technique.
