An optimistic view for quantifying mRNA in post-mortem human brain.

Author(s): Preece P, Virley D J, Costandi M, Coombes R, Moss S J, Mudge A W, Jazin E, Cairns N J

Publication: Brain Res Mol Brain Rees, 2003, Vol. 116, Page 7

PubMed ID: 12941456 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to evaluate mRNA levels of beta-actin, GAPDH, cyclophilin, MAP2, NSE, APP 770, and GFAP in postmortem brain, and to investigate whether mRNA levels were influenced by patient age, gender, or diagnosis, PMI, or brain pH.

   Summary of Findings:

   While relative mRNA expression was highly variable between individuals (by 1000-fold), relative expression of different transcripts within an individual were highly correlated. Thus, the quantitative order within an individual was preserved for both genders and diagnoses examined. The authors conclude that, based on their assessment of 7 genes, mRNA degradation associated with brain pH, PMI, gender, or age at death is not random, and quantitative order is preserved within an individual although absolute levels may display robust differences between individuals.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Brain

   Preservative Types

   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Alzheimer's Disease
   • Autopsy
   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   RNA	Electrophoresis
   RNA	Real-time qRT-PCR
   RNA	Spectrophotometry

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Preaquisition	Patient age	41 - 91 years
   Preaquisition	Patient gender	Female Male
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	pH	Brain pH 5.8 - 7.2
   Preaquisition	Postmortem interval	4 - 117 h
   Preaquisition	Diagnosis/ patient condition	No diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease

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