Figure 6.

AU9 improves neurotrophin expression and spine density. AU9 improves neurotrophin protein expression in 3xTgAD mice treated with AU9 (3 months daily, 5 mg/kg) as determined by ELISA, (A) Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) (B) Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) expression, (C) Neurotrophin Factor 4/5 expression and (D) Neurotrophin −3 expression in 3xTgAD hippocampi. Where n = 6 mice per group of treatment and * p < 0.01, and ** p < 0.005. Values were based upon a normalized protein concentration, a standard curve of growth factor protein supplied in the kit. Statistical values were obtained using Student t-test analysis ± S.E.M. Where n = 6 mice per group and *: p < 0.05 and **: p < 0.001. AU9 improves spine density area, spine area and spine length (E–H) in 3xTgAD mice. Rapid Golgi-Cox staining was utilized to measure changes in total spine density, spine area and spine length. Overall, 200 µm sections were stained and imaged using a Z-stack procedure on a Nikon TSi microscope from a minimum of 10 slices with 10 neurons per slice from 6 mice per group using ImageJ software for measurements. Statistical values were obtained using student t-test analysis ± S.E.M. Where n = 6 mice per group and *: p < 0.05.