Amyloid precursor protein modulates cerebellar Purkinje cell activity and motor function through regulation of Nav1.6 currents

Abstract

Amyloid precursor protein (APP)-null mice exhibit significant deficits in motor performance, including reduced grip strength and impaired locomotion; however, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we show that conditional knockdown of APP selectively in Purkinje cells (PCs) recapitulates these motor deficits, while exogenous expression of APP in APP-null mice rescues motor function. Electrophysiological analysis revealed that APP deficiency leads to aberrant firing patterns in PCs and reduces inhibitory synaptic transmission onto neurons of the deep cerebellar nucleus (DCN). We identified a marked reduction in Nav1.6-mediated sodium currents as the key mechanism underlying abnormal action potential firing and propagation in APP-deficient PCs. Importantly, all electrophysiological and behavioral deficits were rescued by PC-specific APP reconstitution. These findings reveal a novel and essential role for APP in cerebellar motor control by regulating Nav1.6 channel activity and PC excitability.