Age-related changes in theta frequency stimulation-induced long-term potentiation.

Full Abstract

Several signaling mechanisms that are crucial for the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) by theta frequency (5 Hz) trains of synaptic stimulation are altered in aged animals. To determine whether theta frequency stimulation-induced LTP is particularly sensitive to changes in synaptic function that occur in aged animals, we examined whether activating synapses in the hippocampal CA1 region with three different trains of theta pulse stimulation (TPS) has different effects on synaptic strength in hippocampal slices from aged and young mice. Our results indicate that TPS-induced LTP is not diminished in the aged hippocampus but does show a dependence on L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels that is not seen in young animals. Moreover, we found that the facilitation of TPS-induced LTP by co-activation of beta-adrenergic and cholinergic receptors is strongly reduced in slices from aged animals. Together, these results suggest that memory impairments in aged animals might arise, at least in part, from deficits in the ability of modulatory transmitters to regulate activity-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity.

Author information

Author/s: Watabe, Ayako M (AM); O'Dell, Thomas J (TJ);

Affiliation: Department of Physiology, UCLA School of Medicine, 53-231 Center for the Health Sciences, University of California, Box 951751, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Neurobiology of aging (Neurobiol Aging), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2003 Mar-Apr; vol 24 (issue 2) : pp 267-72

Dates: Created 2002/12/24; Completed 2003/03/26; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12498960, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.