The Effect Of Multiple Flavonoids On Amyloid-Beta And Neurofibrillary Tangles In Alzheimer's Disease
School Name
The Center for Advanced Technical Studies
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Cell and Molecular Biology
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease stands as the largest threat to adults over 65 years old. Two factors present in the brain is use to diagnose whether or not an adult has Alzheimer’s: amyloid-Beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Both are caused by the accumulation of proteins within the brain and are independent of each other. Amyloid-Beta proteins accumulate outside the cells while neurofibrillary tangles accumulate within the cells. Current treatments are available to slow down the symptoms of this disease; however, those treatments could only lower each of the factors separately. This research is aimed to reduce the amount of both amyloid-Beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles simultaneously, looking specifically at the effects of multiple flavonoids that will decrease the amount of both proteins. Two specific flavonoids will be inserted into neuroblastoma cells and – using microscopy – the cells will be analyzed intracellular and extracellular in order to determine the intensity of protein expression. It is expected that with the combination use of two flavonoids, the amount of plaques and tangles will significantly decrease due to the induction of two different pathways that will degrade the proteins both inside and outside the cells. Furthermore, the flavonoids will be synergistic to each other and promote further protein degradation at a higher level than each [flavonoid] individually would.
Recommended Citation
Huynh, Phuong, "The Effect Of Multiple Flavonoids On Amyloid-Beta And Neurofibrillary Tangles In Alzheimer's Disease" (2015). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 100.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2015/all/100
Start Date
4-11-2015 1:45 PM
End Date
4-11-2015 2:00 PM
The Effect Of Multiple Flavonoids On Amyloid-Beta And Neurofibrillary Tangles In Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease stands as the largest threat to adults over 65 years old. Two factors present in the brain is use to diagnose whether or not an adult has Alzheimer’s: amyloid-Beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Both are caused by the accumulation of proteins within the brain and are independent of each other. Amyloid-Beta proteins accumulate outside the cells while neurofibrillary tangles accumulate within the cells. Current treatments are available to slow down the symptoms of this disease; however, those treatments could only lower each of the factors separately. This research is aimed to reduce the amount of both amyloid-Beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles simultaneously, looking specifically at the effects of multiple flavonoids that will decrease the amount of both proteins. Two specific flavonoids will be inserted into neuroblastoma cells and – using microscopy – the cells will be analyzed intracellular and extracellular in order to determine the intensity of protein expression. It is expected that with the combination use of two flavonoids, the amount of plaques and tangles will significantly decrease due to the induction of two different pathways that will degrade the proteins both inside and outside the cells. Furthermore, the flavonoids will be synergistic to each other and promote further protein degradation at a higher level than each [flavonoid] individually would.
