Behavioral effects of CD40–CD40L pathway disruption in aged PSAPP mice

We have shown that, when an amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) overproducing transgenic mouse model (PSAPP) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is treated with a depleting antibody against CD40L, it causes marked attenuation of Aβ pathology associated with decreased amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and increased cerebral clearance of Aβ. Here, we report that, when PSAPP mice receive a regimen of anti-CD40L antibody commencing at an age associated with initial Aβ deposition, they demonstrate superior spatial memory on the standard water maze and radial arm water maze tasks, as well as exhibiting superior non-spatial memory in the object recognition test, as compared to control PSAPP mice. Furthermore, PSAPP mice treated with an anti-CD40L antibody regimen commencing at an age associated with extensive Aβ deposition demonstrate superior spatial memory on the standard water maze task, as compared to control PSAPP mice. Disruption of CD40L activity has beneficial effects on pathology and cognitive behavior in the PSAPP mouse model, providing support for the therapeutic potential of interrupting the CD40–CD40L interaction in AD.