Enhancement of LTP in aged rats is dependent on endogenous BDNF

Contrasting hippocampal and amygdalar expression of genes related to neural plasticity during escape from social aggression

Social subjugation has widespread consequences affecting behavior and underlying neural systems. We hypothesized that individual differences in stress responsiveness were associated with differential expression of neurotrophin associated genes within the hippocampus and amygdala. To do this we examined the brains of hamsters placed in resident/intruder interactions, modified by the opportunity to escape from aggression. In the amygdala, aggressive social interaction stimulated increased BDNF receptor TrK(B) mRNA levels regardless of the ability to escape the aggressor. In contrast, the availability of escape limited the elevation of GluR(1) AMPA subunit mRNA. In the hippocampal CA(1), the glucocorticoid stress hormone, cortisol, was negatively correlated with BDNF and TrK(B) gene expression, but showed a positive correlation with BDNF expression in the DG. Latency to escape the aggressor was also negatively correlated with CA(1) BDNF expression. In contrast, the relationship between amygdalar TrK(B) and GluR(1) was positive with respect to escape latency. These results suggest that an interplay of stress and neurotrophic systems influences learned escape behavior. Animals which escape faster seem to have a more robust neurotrophic profile in the hippocampus, with the opposite of this pattern in the amygdala. We propose that changes in the equilibrium of hippocampal and amygdalar learning result in differing behavioral stress coping choices.

Spatial memory decline after masticatory deprivation and aging is associated with altered laminar distribution of CA1 astrocytes

Background

Chewing imbalances are associated with neurodegeneration and are risk factors for senile dementia in humans and memory deficits in experimental animals. We investigated the impact of long-term reduced mastication on spatial memory in young, mature and aged female albino Swiss mice by stereological analysis of the laminar distribution of CA1 astrocytes. A soft diet (SD) was used to reduce mastication in the experimental group, whereas the control group was fed a hard diet (HD). Assays were performed in 3-, 6- and 18-month-old SD and HD mice.

Results

Eating a SD variably affected the number of astrocytes in the CA1 hippocampal field, and SD mice performed worse on water maze memory tests than HD mice. Three-month-old mice in both groups could remember/find a hidden platform in the water maze. However, 6-month-old SD mice, but not HD mice, exhibited significant spatial memory dysfunction. Both SD and HD 18-month-old mice showed spatial memory decline. Older SD mice had astrocyte hyperplasia in the strata pyramidale and oriens compared to 6-month-old mice. Aging induced astrocyte hypoplasia at 18 months in the lacunosum-moleculare layer of HD mice.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results suggest that the impaired spatial learning and memory induced by masticatory deprivation and aging may be associated with altered astrocyte laminar distribution and number in the CA1 hippocampal field. The underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown and merit further investigation.

Neuromuscular transmission modulation by adenosine upon aging

In infant rats adenosine A(2A) receptor-mediated modulation of neuromuscular transmission predominates over A1 receptor-mediated neuromodulation. We investigated whether aging affects this A(2A)/A(1) receptor balance. Evoked (EPPs) and miniature end plate potentials (MEPPs) were recorded from single fibers of (weeks-old) infant (3-4), young adult (12-16), older (36-38), and aged (80-90) male rat-diaphragm. The non A1/A(2A) selective agonist, 2-chloroadenosine (CADO; 30 nM) and the adenosine kinase inhibitor, iodotubericidin (ITU; 10 μM) increased mean amplitude and quantal content of EPPs in infant, young adult, and older adult rats, but not in aged rats. The facilitatory effects were prevented by the A(2A) receptor antagonist, ZM241385 (50 nM) and mimicked by the A(2A) receptor agonist, CGS21680 (10 nM). The A1 receptor agonist, 6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA; 100 nM), decreased EPPs amplitude in all age groups. It is concluded that aging differently influences adenosine A1 receptor and A(2A) receptor-mediated presynaptic modulation of neuromuscular transmission, so that the facilitatory influence decreases upon aging, whereas the inhibitory influence remains unchanged in aged animals. The reduction of adenosine A(2A) receptors upon aging may contribute to the age-related changes in neuromuscular function.