Synaptic plasticity refers to use-dependent changes in the functioning of the synapse.  Growing evidence highlights the dysregulation of synaptic plasticity in Alzheimer’s disease and this may actually underpin the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease.

Professor Cho’s recent findings suggest that inhibiting synapse weakening, so called long-term depression (LTD), can restore normal synaptic function in an Alzheimer’s disease-pathology model.  This supports the hypothesis that long-term potentiation (LTP), an opposite effect of LTD, is impaired in Alzheimer’s disease as a result of enhanced LTD signalling.

The research suggests that if one form of plasticity is aberrantly enhanced, the mutual exclusivity of LTP and LTD could underlie synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.  These findings provide a potential translation for the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

The awards are given by the Royal Society ‘to individuals of proven outstanding ability to undertake independent, original research’.  Professor Cho is one of 18 scientists from institutions across the UK who has received the award.

Jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award scheme aims to provide universities with additional support to enable them to attract to this country or to retain respected scientists of outstanding achievement and potential.  The scheme provides up to 5 years’ funding after which the award holder continues with a permanent post at the host university.