Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
14:57
Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
Published on: March 23, 2011
The effects of aging on dentate circuitry and function.
Peter R Patrylo1, Anne Williamson
1Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Carbondale, IL 62901, USA. ppatrylo@siumed.edu
Progress in Brain Research
|September 4, 2007
Summary
Aging impairs the central nervous system, particularly the hippocampal formation. This review highlights age-related disruptions in the dentate gyrus, contributing to memory decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
- Cognitive Decline
Background:
- The central nervous system (CNS) exhibits significant changes during aging.
- The hippocampal formation is crucial for learning and memory and is implicated in aging-related neurological disorders.
- Previous research has primarily focused on CA3 and CA1 regions of the hippocampus, overlooking the dentate gyrus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and highlight age-related disruptions in the dentate gyrus circuitry and function.
- To propose that these changes contribute to the decline in hippocampal-dependent behaviors observed in normal aging.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on electrophysiological studies and age-related changes in the hippocampal formation.
- Analysis of data demonstrating age-related functional and circuit alterations in the dentate gyrus.
Main Results:
- Evidence indicates age-related disruptions in dentate gyrus circuitry and function.
- These disruptions are proposed to underlie age-associated deficits in spatial learning and memory.
Conclusions:
- The dentate gyrus plays a critical role in hippocampal function and dysfunction during aging.
- Age-related changes in the dentate gyrus are a significant factor in cognitive decline associated with normal aging.
Related Concept Videos
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
01:26Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are not...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...