Hippocampal neurogenesis persists in adult mammals, but its rate declines dramatically with age. Evidence indicates that experimentally-reduced levels of neurogenesis (e.g., by irradiation) in young rats has profound influence on cognition as determined by learning and memory tests. In the present study we asked whether in middle-aged, 10- to 13-months-old rats, cell production can be restored toward the level present in young rats. To manipulate neurogenesis we induced bilateral carotid occlusion with hypotension. This procedure is known to increase neurogenesis in young rats, presumably in a compensatory manner, but until now, has never been tested in aging rats. Cell production was measured at 10, 35, and 90 days after ischemia. The results indicate that neuronal proliferation and differentiation can be transiently restored in middle-aged rats. Furthermore, the effects are more pronounced in the dorsal as opposed to ventral hippocampus thus restoring the dorso-ventral gradient seen in younger rats. Our results support previous findings showing that some of the essential features of the age-dependent decline in neurogenesis are reversible. Thus, it may be possible to manipulate neurogenesis and improve learning and memory in old age.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2944628PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2010.00163DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

young rats
12
rats
8
aging rats
8
learning memory
8
rats cell
8
cell production
8
manipulate neurogenesis
8
neurogenesis
7
enhanced post-ischemic
4
post-ischemic neurogenesis
4

Similar Publications

To examine the effect of DBS of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) on age-related memory changes, neuronal firing from CA1, oxidative stress, and the expression of Hsp70, BDNF, and synaptophysin. 72 male rats were randomly allocated into 6 equal groups: a) normal young group (8 W), b) sham young group, c) DBS young group, d) normal old group (24 months), e) sham old group and f) DBS old group. Memory tests (passive avoidance and Y maze), oxidative stress markers (MDA, catalase, and GSH) and expression of Nrf2, HO-1, Hsp70, BDNF, and synaptophysin were measured by the end of the experiment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

PPARγ activation attenuates neonatal CRD-induced visceral pain sensitization and anxiety in male rats by alleviating oxidative stress.

BMC Gastroenterol

January 2025

Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, No. 20, Cha Zhong Road, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China.

Background: Visceral pain sensitization and emotional reactions due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occur frequently in the general population. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IBS. Previous studies have demonstrated that activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) has analgesic effects.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The effects of estrogen depletion in female rats: differential influences on somato-motor and sensory cortices.

Biogerontology

January 2025

Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, No. 701, Section 3, Zhongyang Rd., Hualien, 970374, Taiwan.

Aging women experience a significant decline of ovarian hormones, particularly estrogen, following menopause, and become susceptible to cognitive and psychomotor deficits. Although the effects of estrogen depletion had been documented in the prefrontal and somatosensory cortices, its impact on somatomotor cortex, a region crucial for motor and cognitive functions, remains unclear. To explore this, we ovariectomized young adult female rats and fed subsequently with phytoestrogen-free diet and studied the effects of estrogen depletion on the somato-sensory and motor cortices.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The endocannabinoid system's significance in maintaining blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity under physiological and pathological conditions is suggested by several reports, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this paper, we investigated the effects of depletion of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), one of the main endocannabinoids in the central nervous system, on BBB integrity using pharmacological tools. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with the diacylglycerol lipase α (DAGLα) inhibitor LEI-106 (40 mg/kg, i.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Parthenolide improves sepsis-induced coagulopathy by inhibiting mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells through BRD4/BCL-xL pathway.

J Transl Med

January 2025

Department of Anesthesiology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, No.10, Changjiang Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, China.

Background: Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory syndrome that can cause coagulation abnormalities, leading to damage in multiple organs. Vascular endothelial cells (VECs) are crucial in the development of sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC). The role of Parthenolide (PTL) in regulating SIC by protecting VECs remains unclear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!