Neurotoxic Ca2+ signaling induced by amyloid–β oligomers in aged hippocampal neurons in vitro

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent dementia linked to aging, involves neurotoxic effects of amyloid β species and dishomeostasis of intracellular Ca2+. To investigate mechanisms of AD, the effects of soluble species of amyloid β oligomers (Aβo) prepared in medium devoid of glutamate receptor agonists can be tested on intracellular Ca2+ in long-term cultures of rat hippocampal neurons that reflect aging neurons. Furthermore, changes in expression of proteins involved in oligomer responses and AD can be tested in the same neurons using quantitative immunofluorescence. Detailed procedures for the preparation of Aβ species in defined medium, long-term culture of rat hippocampal neurons mimicking aged neurons, calcium imaging and quantitative immunofluorescence in these cultures are described in this chapter.Financial support from Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (BFU2015-70131R) and Junta de Castilla y León Spain (Ref VA145U13) are gratefully acknowledged.Peer reviewe

A general model for the comparative analysis of social inequalities between Europe and Latin America

Production of INCASI Project H2020-MSCA-RISE-2015 GA 691004The chapter is an introduction to the book that places the research perspective for the comparative analysis of social inequalities between Europe and Latin America in a theoretical and methodological framework. Particularly, we present the INCASI project, the objectives, and discuss the concept of social inequalities in Latin American countries in comparison with European countries in order to create a dialogue that fills the knowledge gap between these two different traditions. To do so, we propose an Analytical Model on Social Inequalities and Trajectories (AMOSIT). Finally, the structure and general contents of the book are presented