BACKGROUND: Understanding the phenomena underlying the non-selective susceptibility to ischemia of pyramidal neurons in the CA3 is important from the point of view of elucidating the mechanisms of memory loss and the development of dementia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate changes in genes expression of amyloid precursor protein, its cleaving enzymes and tau protein in CA3 post-ischemia with survival of 12-24 months.

METHODS: We used an ischemic model of Alzheimer's disease to study the above genes using an RT-PCR protocol.

RESULTS: The expression of the amyloid precursor protein gene was above the control values at all times post-ischemia. The expression of the α-secretase gene also exceeded the control values post-ischemia. The expression of the β-secretase gene increased 12 and 24 months post-ischemia, and 18 months was below control values. Presenilin 1 and 2 genes expression was significantly elevated at all times post-ischemia. Also, tau protein gene expression was significantly elevated throughout the observation period, and peak gene expression was present 12 months post-ischemia.

CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that the genes studied are involved in the non-amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein. Additionally data indicate that brain ischemia with long-term survival causes damage and death of pyramidal neurons in the CA3 area of the hippocampus in a modified tau protein-dependent manner. Thus defining a new and important mechanism of pyramidal neuronal death in the CA3 area post-ischemia. In addition expression of tau protein gene modification after brain ischemia is useful in identifying ischemic mechanisms occurring in Alzheimer's disease.