Abstract:
Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are associated with behavioral disorders in
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and in chronic traumatic encephalopathy
(CTE). Research has shown that NFTs play a role in learning impairments and memory
deterioration. Neurobehavioral abnormalities like these can be exacerbated by
environmental factors such as zinc (Zn). Previous studies conducted in our lab have
shown that excessive Zn led to increased freezing levels in animals during cued fear
extinction (Railey et al., 2010). In another study that used tau mice, mice showed
impaired retention in contextual fear conditioning (Hunsbergera et al., 2014).
Therefore, to observe the effects of both NFTs and Zn, mice were bred to possess
the P301L tau mutation; consisting of both the human microtubule associated protein tau
(huMAPT) mutation and the tTA transgene, with the CaMKII activator. The tau mice
were subsequently raised on 10ppm supplemented zinc water. To test the animal’s learning and memory, cued and contextual fear conditioning will be conducted at 6
months of age. Since learning and memory is impaired in the tau mice it is hypothesized
that they will perform poorly in fear extinction. It is also hypothesized that zinc
supplemented mice will perform poorly in the experiment, as zinc has shown to effect
fear extinction in mice.
