The fast-aging model Nothobranchius furzeri: investigation of Alzheimer’s disease markers
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- Aging has become an increasingly pressing concern in recent decades, particularly in developed countries where demographic trends indicate a marked shift toward older populations. Among the organs affected by aging, the brain is particularly vulnerable. Age is in fact the greatest risk factor for developing neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia. The number of dementia cases is projected to double by 2050, reaching an estimated 16.3 million within the European Union. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which accounts for the vast majority of dementia cases worldwide, remains a major public health challenge, affecting millions of individuals. Despite decades of research, a comprehensive understanding of AD pathogenesis remains elusive, in part due to the lack of accessible and efficient animal models. Recently, the short-lived vertebrate Nothobranchius furzeri has emerged as a promising model for aging research. With a lifespan of only a few months, this species allows for rapid experimentation while maintaining key physiological and neuroanatomical similarities with humans. These features make it an attractive tool for studying age-related brain changes and the early events associated with neurodegeneration. In this Master’s thesis, the earliest hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease will be identified in Nothobranchius furzeri, including intramitochondrial amyloid β accumulation, synaptic loss, inflammation, and neuronal degeneration, using mRNA expression analysis and immunofluorescence staining. These findings, contributing to the development of an early-stage Alzheimer’s disease model, will help assess its potential for further studies aiming to reproduce late-stage pathological features, such as extracellular amyloid plaques and later support future therapeutic strategies.