AI Article Synopsis
- Aging affects functions in the amygdala, but the mechanisms behind these changes are not well understood.
- Researchers studied neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) levels in the amygdala of aged rats and found that nNOS expression is generally decreased in most areas, while increased in specific olfactory-related regions.
- These findings suggest that altered nitric oxide levels may contribute to age-related physiological and behavioral issues in the amygdala, but more research is needed to clarify the exact impact.
Article Abstract
Although many amygdalar functions are altered by aging, little is known about their mechanisms. As these functions are related with nitric oxide (NO), we examined neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in the amygdala of the aged rats via immunohistochemical technique. We found that nNOS immunoreactive neurons are decreased in almost all amygdalar areas of the aged rats, while nNOS immunoreactivity of the neuropil is significantly increased in the amygdalar nuclei related with main and accessory olfactory system. These suggest altered levels of NO might provide region-specific mechanisms of many physiological and behavioral deficits of the amygdala developed by aging. However, exact effects of these changes require further elucidation.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2003.11.066 | DOI Listing |
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