BandoCompetitivo_PISCITELLI_MITA_Microbiome-endocannabinoidome connection in TBI and Alzheimer's disease (DCM.AD007.167)

Thematic area

Chemical sciences and materials technology

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of biomolecular chemistry (ICB)

Project manager

FABIANA PISCITELLI
Phone number: 0818675309
Email: fpiscitelli@icb.cnr.it

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death under the age 45 in the Western World and is followed by secondary brain damage leading to long-term consequences, such as increased prevalence of dementia, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence suggested that both TBI and AD have an alteration in the brain-gut microbiota axis that may significantly contribute to their pathogenesis and could be the missed link to understand their association. Furthermore, accumulating evidences in literature have showed that the endocannabinoid (eCB) system with the accompanying "endocannabinoidome" (eCBome), have a key role in numerous physiological and pathological conditions, including neuroprotection. Based on published preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological data, we propose a theoretical framework that highlights the potential mechanisms by which the gut-brain axis and the connection with the eCBome may peripherally influence the physiopathology of TBI and the subsequent risk of latent neurodegenerative diseases.

Goals

The present project aims to identify the optimal predictor variables for long-term sequelae following mild traumatic brain injury through the development of a diagnostic tool for the detection of specific biomarkers and prediction of the clinical outcomes.
Therefore, specific aims of the project are:
i) to characterize the mTBI- mediated long-term consequences on the cognition and affective
behaviors.
ii) to investigate if the GBM-eCBome is altered in a murine model of mTBI, using a novel
integrative approach, the endocannabinoidomics and to identify novel biomarkers of dysbiosis-derived

Start date of activity

30/09/2020

Keywords

Endocannabinoids, microbiome, Alzheimer's disease

Last update: 11/12/2024