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Regional Mapping of Neostriatal Neurotransmitter Systems as a Function of Aging
Author(s) -
Strong R.,
Samorajski T.,
Gottesfeld Zehava
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1982.tb07967.x
Subject(s) - choline acetyltransferase , neurotransmitter , striatum , dopamine , endocrinology , medicine , glutamate receptor , glutamate decarboxylase , basal ganglia , neuroscience , biology , norepinephrine , ventral striatum , central nervous system , biochemistry , enzyme , receptor
Abstract: The purpose of the present investigation was to map chemically the distribution of certain neurotransmitter systems in the neostriatum of rats aged 6, 16, and 26 months. This mapping was carried out by microdissection of discrete striatal regions coupled with radiometric assays for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NA). In all age groups, ChAT, DA, and NA were highest in the rostral relative to the caudal neostriatum. Additionally, ChAT was higher in the lateral than in the medial region, whereas GAD was more homogeneously distributed within the striatum. ChAT activity was decreased significantly primarily in the caudal regions in rats aged 16 and 26 months. DA levels were decreased in the caudal striatum in rats aged 26 months. NA levels were found to be significantly decreased primarily in the rostral neostriatal regions of the otdest rats. GAD activity remained unchanged in all age groups. These regional changes in selected neurotransmitter systems may underlie specific motor and cognitive deficits that often occur during aging.