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Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain of aged female mice

Giedrius Kalesnykas1, Jukka Puoliväli, Jouni Sirviö

  • 1Department of Neuroscience and Neurology, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio FIN-70211, Finland.

Brain Research
|September 9, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Aging female mice show that estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons can still respond to estrogen changes. This suggests potential for therapies targeting elderly individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Aging Research

Background:

  • Aging impairs cellular functions and signal responsiveness.
  • Pharmacological treatments may be less effective in aged organisms.
  • Estrogen plays a role in neuronal function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the response of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) to estrogen availability in aged female mice.
  • Determine if aged cholinergic neurons maintain sensitivity to estrogen.
  • Explore region-specific responses within the basal forebrain.

Main Methods:

  • Adult female mice (18 months old) underwent sham surgery, ovariectomy, or ovariectomy with 17beta-estradiol treatment.
  • Three months post-surgery, brain tissues were collected.
  • Double immunostaining for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and ERalpha was performed.
  • Stereological cell counting quantified ChAT-immunoreactive (ir) neurons and ERalpha co-localization.

Main Results:

  • Estrogen level changes did not affect the total number of ChAT-ir neurons in the basal forebrain.
  • The percentage of ChAT-ir neurons expressing ERalpha-ir was significantly higher in ovariectomized mice compared to sham-operated or estrogen-treated mice.
  • This effect was specific to the medial septum and vertical diagonal band of Broca.

Conclusions:

  • Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons expressing ERalpha in aged female mice retain the ability to respond to altered estrogen levels.
  • The response is region-specific within the basal forebrain.
  • These findings are relevant for developing age-specific therapeutic strategies.

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