Low Dose Brain Irradiation Reduces Amyloid-β and Tau in 3xTg-AD Mice.

George D Wilson, Beaumont Health
Thomas G Wilson, Beaumont Health
Alaa Hanna, Beaumont Health
Giovanni Fontanesi, Beaumont Health
Justin Kulchycki, Beaumont Health
Katie Buelow, Beaumont Health
Barbara L Pruetz, Beaumont Health
Daniel B Michael, Beaumont Health
Prakash Chinnaiyan, Beaumont Health
Michael E Maddens, Beaumont Health
Alvaro A Martinez, Beaumont Health
James Fontanesi, Beaumont Health

Abstract

We have previously reported that low doses of external beam ionizing irradiation reduced amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and improved cognition in APP/PS1 mice. In this study we investigated the effects of radiation in an age-matched series of 3xTg-AD mice. Mice were hemibrain-irradiated with 5 fractions of 2 Gy and sacrificed 8 weeks after the end of treatment. Aβ and tau were assessed using immunohistochemistry and quantified using image analysis with Definiens Tissue Studio. We observed a significant reduction in Aβ plaque burden and tau staining; these two parameters were significantly correlated. This preliminary data is further support that low doses of radiation may be beneficial in Alzheimer's disease.