“The role of chronic infection generation of Alzheimer type tau pathology”
Charles Weaver, PhD, Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI 48710
 
The appearance and spread of tau neurofibrillary pathology is one of the defining hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several recent studies have demonstrated the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi in the majority of Alzheimer brains that were analyzed. To determine whether infection has the ability to induce neurofibrillary degeneration, we will utilize rat primary cortical and hippocampal neurons in a mixed cell culture with Borrelia spirochetes, and assess the development of tau pathology at various time points up to 8 weeks. An extensive array of phosphorylation- and conformation-dependent tau antibodies will be employed in attempt to reveal early- and late-stage tau pathology. Neurofibrillary abnormalities will be determined by immunochemistry through Western blotting and various microscopy techniques.

Charles Weaver
Assistant Professor, Health Sciences
Saginaw Valley State University
7400 Bay Rd., HHS201
University Center, MI 48710
Phone: (989) 964-4587
Fax: (989) 964-4925
Email: clweave1@svsu.edu