Alzheimer Protein APP Regulates Learning and Social Behaviour in the Healthy Brain

Lack of the APP family leads to abnormal positioning of neurons ( yellow ) in the hippocampus. Neurons lacking APP family proteins show fewer synaptic connections. Susanne Klein, Müller's research group, Heidelberg University - Beyond plaques: Heidelberg scientists unravel the natural functions of the APP protein family While the APP protein is well-known for its key role in Alzheimer's disease, its contribution to healthy brain function, by contrast, has remained largely unknown until now. Recently, an international research team, led by molecular biologist Ulrike Müller from Heidelberg University, gained new insights on the physiological functions of the APP protein family by using a mouse model lacking APP. The absence of APP during brain development was shown to result in the malformation of important brain regions implicated in learning and memory. Consequently, these mice were severely impaired in their learning abilities and exhibited autistic-like behaviour. Alzheimer's disease is triggered by insoluble protein deposits in the brain, which aggregate around nerve cells to form plaques.