6. Neurogenetics

Question 1

What do gene association studies look for? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 1

Sorting of SNP’s

Question 2

What is an SNP? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 2

• Single nucleotide polymorphism
• Natural variations in our DNA
• Identified by human genome project sequence

Question 3

What is cortical atrophy? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 3

• Variant of Alzheimers disease
• Affects frontal, temporal and parietal lobes
• Accumulation of amyloid plaque on the cell soma

Question 4

What causes the familiar form (early onset) of Alzheimers disease? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 4

• Mutated amyloid precursor protein results in more production of β amyloid
• Unable to break down (possible in healthy P’s)
• Occurs on chromosome 21

Question 5

What causes the unfamiliar form (genetic risk factors) of Alzheimers disease? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 5

• E4 allele present in 15% of healthy, and 60% of Alzheimers brains
• APoE polymorphism changes the amino acid, creating an alternative structure

Question 6

What are inbred mice and what are they used for? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 6

• Alternative genetics, neurobiology and behaviour

- Comparing these to healthy mice can allow for the effects of gene changes to be seen

Question 7

What is shown with gene replacement mice? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 7

Only mutant gene is active

Question 8

What is shown with gene knock out mice? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 8

No active gene present

Question 9

What is shown with gene addition mice? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 9

Both genes are active

Question 10

What are global knockouts? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 10

The production of the protein is missing throughout the brain

Question 11

What are conditional knockouts? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 11

Production of the protein is missing from a specific region of the brain

Question 12

What are inducible knockouts? (Neurogenetics B&B)

Answer 12

Protein production is controlled by drug treatment