Selective changes in the contents of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin in rat brain areas during aging. 1999

J M Míguez, and M Aldegunde, and L Paz-Valiñas, and J Recio, and E Sánchez-Barceló
Departamento de Biología Funcional y Ciencias de la Salud, Area de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Vigo, Spain. jmmiguez@uvigo.es

This study examines the age-associated changes in noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-acetic acid (DOPAC), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in different brain areas of rats. DA and DOPAC concentrations in striatum increased at third month of age, remaining without significant variations until 12th month of age, and decreasing in 24-month-old rats. DA concentration dropped in hippocampus, amygdala and brainstem of 24-month-old-rats, whereas DOPAC levels decreased only in hippocampus. These changes suggest an age-dependent deficit of the dopaminergic system, presumably related to a reduced number/activity of DA nigrostriatal and mesolimbic neurons. An age-induced decline in NA content was found in the pons-medulla, the area containing NA neuronal bodies. Concentrations of 5-HT were reduced with aging in frontal cortex, showing a tendency to decrease in all brain areas examined. The increased 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio found in frontal cortex, amygdala and striatum suggests an age-related decreased synthesis and an accelerated 5-HT metabolism. The 5-HIAA content decreased in brainstem of the oldest rats. These findings point to a selective impairment of nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DA in aging rats, whereas reductions in NA were restricted to cell bodies region and 5-HT showed changes of different extent in areas of terminals and neuronal cell bodies.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009435 Synaptic Transmission The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009638 Norepinephrine Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic. Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D004298 Dopamine One of the catecholamine NEUROTRANSMITTERS in the brain. It is derived from TYROSINE and is the precursor to NOREPINEPHRINE and EPINEPHRINE. Dopamine is a major transmitter in the extrapyramidal system of the brain, and important in regulating movement. A family of receptors (RECEPTORS, DOPAMINE) mediate its action. Hydroxytyramine,3,4-Dihydroxyphenethylamine,4-(2-Aminoethyl)-1,2-benzenediol,Dopamine Hydrochloride,Intropin,3,4 Dihydroxyphenethylamine,Hydrochloride, Dopamine
D000375 Aging The gradual irreversible changes in structure and function of an organism that occur as a result of the passage of time. Senescence,Aging, Biological,Biological Aging
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012701 Serotonin A biochemical messenger and regulator, synthesized from the essential amino acid L-TRYPTOPHAN. In humans it is found primarily in the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and blood platelets. Serotonin mediates several important physiological functions including neurotransmission, gastrointestinal motility, hemostasis, and cardiovascular integrity. Multiple receptor families (RECEPTORS, SEROTONIN) explain the broad physiological actions and distribution of this biochemical mediator. 5-HT,5-Hydroxytryptamine,3-(2-Aminoethyl)-1H-indol-5-ol,Enteramine,Hippophaine,Hydroxytryptamine,5 Hydroxytryptamine
D015306 Biogenic Monoamines Biogenic amines having only one amine moiety. Included in this group are all natural monoamines formed by the enzymatic decarboxylation of natural amino acids. Monoamines, Biogenic
D017207 Rats, Sprague-Dawley A strain of albino rat used widely for experimental purposes because of its calmness and ease of handling. It was developed by the Sprague-Dawley Animal Company. Holtzman Rat,Rats, Holtzman,Sprague-Dawley Rat,Rats, Sprague Dawley,Holtzman Rats,Rat, Holtzman,Rat, Sprague-Dawley,Sprague Dawley Rat,Sprague Dawley Rats,Sprague-Dawley Rats

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