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Nerve growth factor binding in aged rat central nervous system: Effect of acetyl‐l‐carnitine
Author(s) -
Angelucci L.,
Ramacci M. T.,
Taglialatela G.,
Hulsebosch C.,
Morgan B.,
WerrbachPerez K.,
PerezPolo J. R.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490200413
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , basal forebrain , choline acetyltransferase , medicine , endocrinology , forebrain , central nervous system , cholinergic neuron , cerebellum , cholinergic , hippocampus , neuroscience , peripheral nervous system , biology , chemistry , receptor
The nerve growth factor protein (NGF) has been demonstrated to affect neuronal development and maintenance of the differentiated state in certain neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) of mammals. In the CNS, NGF has sparing effects on cholinergic neurons of the rodent basal forebrain (BF) following lesions where it selectively induces choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). NGF also induces ChAT in the areas to which BF provides afferents. In aged rats, there is a reduction in the NGF‐binding capacity of sympathetic ganglia. Here, we wish to report that there is a decrrease in the NGF‐binding capacity of the hippocampus and basal forebrain of aged (26‐month‐old) rats as compared to 4‐month‐old controls but no change in NGF binding in cerebellum. In all instances, equilibrium binding dissociation constants did not differ significantly. Treatment of rats with acetyl‐L‐carnitine, reported to improve cognitive performance of aged rats, ameliorates these age‐related deficits.