# Identification and manipulation of the neural ensembles mediating sundowning in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

> **NIH NIH R21** · NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC · 2020 · $202,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Circadian rhythms are everywhere in living matter from protozoans to human beings. Every cell, organ, and
biological system works on an endogenous 24-hour rhythm. However, in patients with Alzheimer's disease
(AD), a neurodegenerative disorder affecting memory, this rhythm is dampened. In addition to cognitive
decline, many AD patients (~50%) also exhibit agitation and increased anxiety in the evening or nocturnal
hours, often referred to as sundowning. Here, we aim to dissect the neural circuitry underlying sleep
disturbances, circadian rhythm abnormalities, and increased anxiety-like behavior representing sundowning
and how it relates to cognitive decline and AD pathology. We will utilize behavioral
assays,
optogenetics,
whole-brainmicroscopy, and in vivo Ca 2+ imaging. Our preliminary evidence suggests that AD mice exhibit
increased anxiety-like (e.g., sundowning) behavior compared to control (Ctrl) mice immediately before their
sleep cycle but not before their wake cycle. Therefore, in Aim 1A, we will use the PiezoSleep mouse
behavioral tracking system to monitor sleep/wake cycles and circadian homecage locomotor activity in Ctrl and
AD mice at different ages in order to better characterize AD mice throughout their wake/sleep cycle. We will
also measure anxiety-like behavior at various points throughout their sleep/wake cycles. Using an activity-
dependent tagging mouse, the ArcCreERT2 x enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) mice crossed with
the APP/PS1 (AD) model, we will then identify whole-brain neural ensembles and therefore, neural networks
that contribute to sundowning in Aim 1B. This mouse line allows for the indelible labeling of cells expressing
the immediate early gene (IEG) Arc/Arg3.1 and allows for a comparison between the cells that are activated
during one experience and those that are activated during a second experience. Here, we will compare and
contrast the neural ensembles within subjects that are active during anxiety-like behaviors prior to the sleep
and wake cycles. In Aim 2A, after identifying which neuronal ensembles are altered during sundowning, we
will use nVoke minimicroscopes from Inscopix, to image Ca2+ transients in freely moving AD x ArcCreERT2
mice, injected with a GCaMP6f virus, during the dark versus light cycle. Here, we will be able increase
resolution and the time points at which we can correlate neural activity with increased anxiety-like (e.g.,
sundowning) behavior. In Aim 2B, we will then test the hypothesis that optogenetic modulation of these neural
ensembles drives/inhibits sundowning behavior. The neural circuitry underlying sundowning has not yet been
elucidated, but this project will inform us of novel brain regions and the neural circuitry affected by sundowning
and how we can manipulate these systems to rescue this phenotype in AD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10016163
- **Project number:** 5R21AG064774-02
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC
- **Principal Investigator:** Christine Ann Denny
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $202,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10016163

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10016163, Identification and manipulation of the neural ensembles mediating sundowning in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model (5R21AG064774-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10016163. Licensed CC0.

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