GLT-1 Pathophysiological Mechanisms and as a Target to Treat Alzheimer's Disease

Glutamate is a chemical that allows neurons to communicate; a critically important feature for memory. Glutamate needs to be at the correct place and time to allow efficient neuronal communication and to avoid toxicity. Glutamate levels are regulated by the glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1), which is a protein that plays the important role of regulating concentrations of glutamate in the brain's extracellular space by transporting it, along with other ions, across cellular membranes. This proposal investigates the mechanisms through which GLT-1 becomes dysregulated using several techniques. These experiments may allow development of novel medications that can bring GLT-1's function closer to normal levels and significantly benefit Alzheimer's patients.