Nerve growth factor-induced plasticity in medial prefrontal cortex interneurons of aged Wistar rats

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Pereira, PA (Author) FMUP; Millner, T (Author) Other; Vilela, M (Author) Other; Sousa, S (Author) Other; Armando Cardoso (Author) FMUP; Madeira, MD (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Experimental Gerontology

Vol. 85

Pages: 59-70

ISSN: 0531-5565

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-3SM

DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.09.017

Abstract (EN): The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been identified as a critical center for working and long-term memory. In this study, we have examined the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in mPFC interneurons and the density of the mPFC cholinergic and dopaminergic innervation in cognitively-impaired aged Wistar rats. We also tested the possibility that the potential age-related changes might rely on insufficient neurotrophic support. The total number of NPY- and VIP-immunoreactive neurons and the density of vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)- and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive varicosities were estimated using stereological methods. The number of NPY-immunoreactive neurons was significantly reduced in aged rats, whereas the number of VIP-immunoreactive neurons was unaltered. The decreased expression of NPY was fully reversed by intracerebroventricular administration of nerve growth factor. No differences in the density of VAChT- and TH-immunoreactive varicosities were found among all groups. Our results indicate that the reduced expression of NPY in the mPFC of aged rats can be ascribed to the age associated loss of neurotrophic support, and raise the possibility that these changes might contribute for the cognitive decline that occurs during non-pathological aging.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12