Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the changes of extracellular ATP levels during the progress of Alzheimer's disease by using a murine model of the disease. Retinal nucleotide release was measured from flattened whole-mounts stimulated with 59 mM KCl or non-stimulated maintained in Ringer solution. Mice exhibited an increase in retinal ATP release as long as the pathology progressed up to 14 months. This value decreased to normal values by 18 months of age. Changes occurred also when comparing to non-pathological mice. The increase in the presence of ATP levels may contribute, together with other factors, to the changes in the functionality of the retina and the concomitant death of retinal cells.