Ekspresija gena za moždani neurotrofni čimbenik i katehol-O-metil transferazu u leukocitima ispitanika oboljelih od demencije

master's thesis

• Title (english): Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and catechol-O-methyl transferase gene expression in leukocytes of subjects with dementia
• Author: Srećko Bovan
• Mentor: Matea Nikolac Perković (mentor)
• Mentor: Dubravka Hranilović (sumentor)
• Committee member: Dubravka Hranilović (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Julija Erhardt (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Zoran Marčić (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Sandra Hudina (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2021-09-28, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Demencija je sindrom uzrokovan oštećenjima u središnjem živčanom sustavu koja rezultiraju poremećajem kognitivnih sposobnosti pri očuvanoj svijesti. Smatra se da je dob glavni čimbenik rizika za razvoj demencije, a s obzirom na starenje svjetske populacije predstavlja sve veći problem za društvo. Moždani neurotrofni čimbenik (BDNF) je član skupine neurotrofina koji u živčanom sustavu sudjeluje u neurogenezi i drugim neurotrofičnim i neuromodulatornim aktivnostima. Katehol-O-metiltransferaza (COMT) je enzim koji je ključan u metabolizmu kateholaminskih neurotransmitera. Cilj ovog rada je istražiti postoji li povezanost razine ekspresije gena BDNF i COMT u stanicama periferne krvi s razvojem demencije i provjeriti može li se razina ekspresije povezati i sa stupnjem kognitivnog oštećenja kod ispitanika s dijagnozom Alzheimerove bolesti ili blagog kognitivnog poremećaja. Rezultati su pokazali da je razina ekspresije gena BDNF značajno manja kod ispitanika s Alzheimerovom bolešću u odnosu na ispitanike s blagim kognitivnim poremećajem. Razina ekspresije gena BDNF povezana je i s razinom kognitivnog oštećenja, što potvrđuje značajna korelacija s rezultatima kognitivnih testova. U slučaju ekspresije gena COMT rezultati nisu potvrdili očekivanu povezanost s razvojem demencije, odnosno s oštećenjima kognitivnih sposobnosti.

Abstract (english)

Dementia is a syndrome caused by damage to the central nervous system that results in impaired cognitive abilities with preserved consciousness. Age is considered to be a major risk factor for the development of dementia, and due to the aging of the world’s population it presents an increasing problem for society. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family that participates in neurogenesis and other neurotrophic and neuromodulatory activities in the nervous system. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that is crucial in the metabolism of catecholamines. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of BDNF and COMT expression levels in peripheral blood cells with the development of dementia and to examine whether the expression level of these two genes could be associated with the degree of cognitive impairment in subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. The results showed that the level of BDNF expression was significantly lower in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease compared to subjects with mild cognitive impairment. BDNF gene expression levels were also associated with the level of cognitive impairment, which was confirmed by a significant correlation with the results of screening tests for cognitive impairment. In the case of COMT gene expression, the results did not confirm the expected association with the development of dementia, or with impairment of cognitive abilities.

• Keywords: Alzheimerova bolest; blagi kognitivni poremećaj; čimbenik rizika; izvršne funkcije
• Keywords (english): Alzheimer’s disease; Mild cognitive impairment; Risk factor; executive functions
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:798789
• Study programme: Title: Experimental Biology; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra eksperimentalne biologije (magistar/magistra eksperimentalne biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2021-10-14 13:02:17