Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal paralytic disorder characterized by premature motor neuron death; a hypermetabolic state has also been observed. Western blotting was used to characterize the expression of PGC-1alpha and PPAR-delta, two metabolic regulators, in tissue of G85R ALS mice and wild-type littermates at different development time points. Initial results indicate that PGC-1 alpha may be expressed at higher levels in skeletal muscle of young ALS mice, suggesting PGC-1alpha's potential involvement in the hypermetabolism evident in ALS.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Baldassari, Laura E.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 06D300M

Advisor

• Ryder, Elizabeth F.

Year

• 2006

Sponsor

• UMass Medical Center

Date created

• 2006-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright