Regulation of neurite outgrowth by an inhibitor of PI3K signalling.

An enzyme known as PI3K plays an important role in the brain to promote cell maturation and survival. Another enzyme, PIPP, opposes PI3K's function. We have shown the amount of PIPP is increased in a specific part of the brain in Alzheimer's disease known as the hippocampus which is important for memory and learning. The hippocampus is the first part of the brain to be damaged in Alzheimer's disease leading to memory loss. We have generated a mouse which does not have any PIPP enzyme. We aim to study this mouse to determine the role PIPP plays in the body. In addition, we will determine whether the absence of PIPP in the brain can stop the development or progression of Alzheimer's disease in mice.