New Approach of Dementia Management in Early Stage : New Perspectives of Reelin Evidence

Reelin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that regulates neuronal migration and cell-cell interactions in early neurodevelopment. Recent studies at different levels of the protein’s life cycle – genetics, the protein itself and its pathway – show promising results regarding the future use of Reelin in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and dementia. Genetic analysis of different Single Nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) close to the promoter region of RELN gene, show associations with AD prevalence. Reelin, when added in AD mice delay cognitive impairment and Aβ fibrils formation, yet Αβ can trap and thus hinder reelin’s biological activity. Microscopically, when examining and comparing neuronal tissue of mice with either active or inactive reelin pathway, researchers observed that dendritic spines are the structures affected. Reelin can alter their volume and shape but not their number nor their synaptic contacts. Lastly, NMDA receptor anchoring and stability on the postsynaptic membrane can be stronger in the presence of reelin. Even though the first data seems promising, still a lot more research is required on this field. The main question we are interested in answering is whether or not this protein has the potential to be used in future, as a therapeutic or an early diagnostic marker for AD and demented patients. We are interested in further investigating the levels of reelin in both AD and control healthy individuals, and in combination with electrophysiological studies, identify pattern that could help us recognize possible associations for its use in the future.