Immunization reverses memory deficits without reducing brain Aβ burden in Alzheimer's disease model

Abstract

We have previously shown that chronic treatment with the monoclonal antibody m266, which is specific for amyloid β-peptide (Aβ), increases plasma concentrations of Aβ and reduces Aβ burden in the PDAPP transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We now report that administration of m266 to PDAPP mice can rapidly reverse memory deficits in both an object recognition task and a holeboard learning and memory task, but without altering brain Aβ burden. We also found that an Aβ/antibody complex was present in both the plasma and the cerebrospinal fluid of m266-treated mice. Our data indicate that passive immunization with this anti-Aβ monoclonal antibody can very rapidly reverse memory impairment in certain learning and memory tasks in the PDAPP mouse model of AD, owing perhaps to enhanced peripheral clearance and (or) sequestration of a soluble brain Aβ species.