Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

The Influence Of Age, Gender, And Thiol Repletion In An In Vivo Model Of Lewy Body Disorders, Daniel Mason Dec 2018

The Influence Of Age, Gender, And Thiol Repletion In An In Vivo Model Of Lewy Body Disorders, Daniel Mason

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lewy body disorders are a family of neurological brain disorders associated with olfactory, motor, and cognitive deficits and are collectively defined as α-synucleinopathies, as they are characterized by hallmark “Lewy bodies” composed of aggregated, fibrillar α-synuclein. It is not certain but often posited that fibrillar α-synuclein seeds the progressive, self-propagating spread of Lewy pathology through neuroanatomical circuitry. Furthermore, the site of disease induction is still debated. In Aim I, we developed a novel protocol for generating reproducible and robust α-synucleinopathy in the limbic temporal lobe following infusions of preformed α-synuclein iv fibrils into the mouse olfactory bulb, which is frequently …


Structure And Thermodynamics Of Polyglutamine Peptides And Amyloid Fibrils Via Metadynamics And Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Riley Workman Aug 2018

Structure And Thermodynamics Of Polyglutamine Peptides And Amyloid Fibrils Via Metadynamics And Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Riley Workman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aggregation of polyglutamine (polyQ)-rich polypeptides in neurons is a marker for nine neurodegenerative diseases. The molecular process responsible for the formation of polyQ fibrils is not well understood and represents a growing area of study. To enable development of treatments that could interfere with aggregation of polyQ peptides, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms by which polyQ peptides aggregate into fibrils. Many experimental techniques have been employed to probe polyQ aggregation, however, observations from these studies have not lead to a unified understanding of the properties of these systems, instead yielding competing, fragmented theories of polyQ aggregation. This …


Tau Aggregation, Conformational Selection, And Inhibition, Michael R. Holden Jan 2018

Tau Aggregation, Conformational Selection, And Inhibition, Michael R. Holden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tau fibrils are a pathological hallmark of over 20 neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. There currently is no cure for these diseases and treatments are limited. Once Tau fibrils form in the brain, they propagate down neuronal networks, and this spreading is linked to disease progression. Studying the behavior and structure of Tau monomer and Tau aggregates therefore may give insight into methods by which the spread of Tau fibrils can be inhibited. The structures of the Tau fibrils from different diseases are thought to vary, partially giving rise to the different disease phenotypes. Tau natively binds to microtubules by …