Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Exploring glycosidic neo-epitopes of degenerative hippocampal granules in aged mice and humans: implications for ageing and dementia

Objective

Ageing is the main correlate of dementia and several other neurodegenerative diseases which currently affect more than 6 million people in Europe. Molecular understanding of these brain conditions is important for their prevention and treatment. In mice, pathological granular structures positive for periodic acid-Schiff stain have been found in the hippocampus with increasing age. The degenerative process of granule formation appears to originate in astrocytes, but adjacent neuronal structures are affected and, accordingly, associated memory impairments have been described. Recent studies reported that granules express glycosidic neo-epitopes, a hallmark of the degenerative granule formation process. This neo-epitope has additionally been found in Lafora bodies of a mouse model of Lafora disease, a fatal neurodegenerative condition. On the other hand, mice serum contains natural IgM antibodies that recognise the glycosidic neo-epitope, suggesting a potentional removal mechanism. In this project, I aim to describe the structure of the glycosidic neo-epitopes of the hippocampal granules as well as the composition of the degenerative granules and Lafora bodies. To achieve these goals, I will employ a multidisciplinary approach exploiting glycomics and neurobiology, with the application of leading-edge technologies that include histological methods, analytical techniques, MALDI-MS imaging and laser-capture microdissection. Moreover, the binding patterns of the anti-neo-epitope natural IgMs will also be explored. Finally and importantly, the expression of the glycosidic neo-epitope in human brain will be assessed. Overall, the knowledge generated will provide new data on brain degenerative processes underlying age-related memory impairments in humans. Ultimately this project will generate new insights for the use of glycosidic neoepitopes as biomarkers for ageing and neurodegenerative diseases, and for prevention and therapeutic strategies using natural antibodies.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 183 454,80
Address
BROWNLOW HILL 765 FOUNDATION BUILDING
L69 7ZX LIVERPOOL
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
North West (England) Merseyside Liverpool
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 183 454,80
My booklet 0 0