The aging hippocampus : a multilevel analysis in the rat
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Date
2005
Authors
Driscoll, Ira
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Arts and Science, 2005
Abstract
The purpose of the current thesis was twofold: (1) to examine various factors that might be contributing to age-related learning and memory deficits specifically related to the hippocampus, and (2) to validate our rat model of aging, employing a multilevel analysis. We found age-related deficits on both spatial and non-spatial hippocampus-dependent taks that were accompanied by structural alterations observed in vivo (volune, but not neuronal metabolic function) and post mortem (neuronal density and neurogenesis, but not synaptic or mitochondrial density). Furthermore, our results suggest that the observed hippocampal structural changes, named decreased volume and neurogenesis, predict learning and memory deficits, and both can be accounted for by neurogenic reduction. In addition, the above-mentioned pattern of age-related deficits closely resembles that seen in humans, suggesting the present rat version of aging to be a very useful model for investigating hippocampal aging in humans.
Description
iii, 236 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm.
Keywords
Dissertations, Academic , Brain -- Aging -- Research , Memory -- Research , Hippocampus (Brain) -- Physiology -- Research , Rats as laboratory animals