# NGF RECEPTOR, MEMORY AND AGING

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · 1991 · $131,051

## Abstract

The longterm objective of this program is to understand the role that nerve
growth factor (NGF) and its receptor (NGFR) play in forebrain cell and
memory loss associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD).  Evidence
is compelling for a dysfunction of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in
AD; there is also considerable evidence for a trophic role of endogenous
NGF on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons during development and in
adulthood.  There are two specific aims of the present proposal, which
together are designed to test the hypothesis that elevated levels of a
truncated form of the NGFR (NGFRt) in urine or CSF correlated with spatial
memory decline.  (1) We will first confirm and extend our preliminary
observations that urine levels of NGFRt in patients with AD are elevated
relative to age-matched patients with no cognitive or neurological
impairment, and determine if this elevation correlates positively with the
degree of memory dysfunction.  (2) To address the mechanism underlying the
elevation of NGFRt in urine, we will study in rats the relationship of
NGFRt to aging and spatial memory impairment and to basal forebrain neuron
degeneration.  We will accomplish this (a) by measuring NGFRt levels in
urine and CSF of aged rats with poor spatial memory (water maze) ability in
relation to a subpopulation of unimpaired-aged or young adult rats, and (b)
by measuring the time course of changes in NGFRt levels associated with
basal forebrain cell degeneration following axotomy or ibotenic acid
lesions.  These studies of changes in urine levels of NGFRt should lead to
a better understanding of neurobiological basis of cognitive deficits
associated with AD.  In addition, the measurement of NGFRt in urine could
be used as a simple, noninvasive method for diagnosing this disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3121024
- **Project number:** 5R01AG009231-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F27KDXZMF9Y8
- **Principal Investigator:** REBEKAH LOY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $131,051
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1990-09-01 → 1993-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3121024

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3121024, NGF RECEPTOR, MEMORY AND AGING (5R01AG009231-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3121024. Licensed CC0.

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