Zeynep C Elcioglu

• MBBS
• Stereological analysis of mRNA-binding protein HuC/D in the hippocampus region of elderly demented patients post-mortem human brain tissue.

Previous studies show that mRNA-binding protein HuC/D, associated with neuronal differentiation and maintenance, is expressed in the hippocampus, exclusively in neuronal cells, making it an excellent quantification marker. Initial data found that Hu was significantly reduced in post-mortem hippocampus, specifically within CA1 subfield of dementia patients. This analysis studied CA1 and CA2 (hippocampal regions) in post-mortem human brain tissue: controls, vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, post-stroke non-demented and demented. The analysis discovered a decrease in Hu-stained cells in CA1 compared to CA2 implying regional differential expression and may confirm Hu as a marker.

Funding source: Newcastle University