MODULATION OF AMYLOID PRECURSOR PROTEIN AND ITS METABOLITES BY SOCIAL ISOLATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT IN A RAT MODEL

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a glycoprotein known to be involved in Alzheimer`s disease (AD) as a source of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). However, APP also plays physiological roles, predominantly found at synaptic sites and involved in various cellular events such as neurite growth, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity, through the non-amyloidogenic and amyloidogenic pathways. The effects of loneliness are considered public health problems, as they have been associated with depression in various studies and are a risk factor for AD. One model used to simulate the effects of loneliness is the Social Isolation (SI) protocol, an environmental factor that can cause various cognitive and emotional impairments by limiting social interaction. Another environmental factor that can alter neurochemical and behavioral outcomes in animal models is Environmental Enrichment (EE), which involves enriching the animal`s environment with different objects, providing a novelty effect. EE has also been used as a neuroprotective strategy in the treatment of cognitive deficits.