PARP1 deficiency mitigates amyloid pathology, neurodegeneration, and cognitive decline in a familial Alzheimer’s disease model

A Aanishaa Jhaldiyal (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) M Manisha Kumari (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) L Lauren C. Guttman (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) T Trupti Tripathi (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) M Mohammed Repon Khan (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) J Justin Wang D Devanik Biswas (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) A Abhishek Pasupuleti (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) A Akansha Aggarwal (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) S Shraddha Pandya (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) S Shih-Ching Chou (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) N Nikhil Panicker A Abhay Monghekar (Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) M Marilyn Albert L Lynn M. Bekris (Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington) J James B. Leverenz (Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic) T Tae-In Kam (Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine) T Ted M. Dawson V Valina L. Dawson

Abstract

Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase 1 (PARP1) has been implicated in DNA damage responses and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet its role in amyloid-beta (Aβ) pathology remains unclear. Here, we show that PARP1 activation drives Aβ pathology and neurodegeneration. Using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we observed significantly elevated PAR levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD compared to controls. In vitro, oligomeric Aβ 1-42 activated PARP1 and induced DNA damage, while genetic or pharmacological inhibition of PARP1 conferred neuroprotection. In vivo, PARP1 knockout in the 5XFAD mouse model of amyloidosis led to reduced amyloid plaque burden, preserved synaptic and neuronal integrity, attenuated glial activation and neuroinflammation, and rescued cognitive deficits. Mechanistically, PARP1 deficiency decreased amyloid precursor protein and BACE1 levels, altered γ-secretase complex composition, and enhanced Aβ degradation via neprilysin. These findings position PARP1 as a critical mediator of Aβ toxicity and neurodegeneration, suggesting its inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy for AD.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 20
Published May 19, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (19)

A

Aanishaa Jhaldiyal

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

M

Manisha Kumari

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

L

Lauren C. Guttman

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

T

Trupti Tripathi

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

M

Mohammed Repon Khan

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

J

Justin Wang

D

Devanik Biswas

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A

Abhishek Pasupuleti

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A

Akansha Aggarwal

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

S

Shraddha Pandya

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

S

Shih-Ching Chou

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

N

Nikhil Panicker

A

Abhay Monghekar

Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

M

Marilyn Albert

L

Lynn M. Bekris

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington

J

James B. Leverenz

Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic

T

Tae-In Kam

Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

T

Ted M. Dawson

V

Valina L. Dawson