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Synchronous hyperactivity and intercellular calcium waves in astrocytes in Alzheimer mice
Kuchibhotla KV, Lattarulo CR, Hyman BT, Bacskai BJ.. Science (New York, N.Y.), 2009-02-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Although senile plaques focally disrupt neuronal health, the functional response of astrocytes to Alzheimer's disease pathology is unknown. Using multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy in vivo, we quantitatively imaged astrocytic calcium homeostasis in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Resting calcium was globally elevated in the astrocytic network, but was independent of proximity to individual plaques.
Key findings
- Using multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy in vivo, we quantitatively imaged astrocytic calcium homeostasis in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
- Resting calcium was globally elevated in the astrocytic network, but was independent of proximity to individual plaques.
- Time-lapse imaging revealed that calcium transients in astrocytes were more frequent, synchronously coordinated across long distances, and uncoupled from neuronal activity.
- Furthermore, rare intercellular calcium waves were observed, but only in mice with amyloid-beta plaques, originating near plaques and spreading radially at least 200 micrometers.
Why it matters
Imaging live Alzheimer's model mice, the researchers found that astrocytes — the brain's support cells — had raised resting calcium across their whole network, not just next to amyloid plaques, and fired calcium signals more often, in sync over long distances, and out of step with nearby neurons. Rare calcium waves that spread at least 200 micrometres were seen only in mice with plaques, starting near a plaque. This is mouse imaging work: it describes abnormal support-cell signalling, not a cause of the disease or a treatment for people.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 56/100
Published in a top-tier journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 10 / 10 | Tier 1 — top-tier general journal (Science (New York, N.Y.)) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | Science: journal h-index 1,754 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2009 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Laboratory or animal study (title names “mice”) — scores zero |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 734 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 38.6 citations a year over 19 year(s) since 2009 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 28.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 13 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 103 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Brian J. Bacskai: h-index 84 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 3 / 3 | Harvard University: institution h-index 3,235 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 19251629) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 56 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
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APA 7th
Kuchibhotla, K. V., Lattarulo, C. R., Hyman, B. T., & Bacskai, B. J. (2009). Synchronous hyperactivity and intercellular calcium waves in astrocytes in Alzheimer mice. Science (New York, N.Y.). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1169096
Vancouver
Kuchibhotla KV, Lattarulo CR, Hyman BT, Bacskai BJ. Synchronous hyperactivity and intercellular calcium waves in astrocytes in Alzheimer mice. Science (New York, N.Y.). 2009. doi:10.1126/science.1169096. PMID: 19251629.
BibTeX
@article{kuchibhotla2009-19251629,
author = {Kuchibhotla, K. V. and Lattarulo, C. R. and Hyman, B. T. and Bacskai, B. J.},
title = {{Synchronous hyperactivity and intercellular calcium waves in astrocytes in Alzheimer mice}},
journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)},
year = {2009},
doi = {10.1126/science.1169096},
pmid = {19251629},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1169096}
}
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