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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
Alterations in calcium signaling and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression: possible correlation with apoptosis in aged
R P Ureshino1, C R Bertoncini, M J S Fernandes
1Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Journal of Neuroscience Research
|September 24, 2009
Summary
Aging brains exhibit altered calcium (Ca2+) signaling and increased oxidative stress, leading to heightened apoptosis and cell death in the striatum. These changes in calcium handling and reduced Bcl-2 expression contribute to age-related neurodegeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Aging is linked to functional deficits and increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases.
- Altered calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis is a known factor in neurodegeneration.
- The aged striatum's susceptibility to cell death warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Ca2+ signaling and apoptosis in the aged rat striatum.
- To identify age-related changes in glutamate receptor expression and function.
- To explore the role of mitochondrial Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aged striatal apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings of Ca2+ responses to glutamate and NMDA.
- Immunostaining for glutamate receptor subunits (NR1).
- Measurement of mitochondrial Ca2+ content and ROS levels.
- Assessment of Bcl-2 protein expression and apoptosis markers.
Main Results:
- Aged striatum showed enhanced Ca2+ responses to glutamate and NMDA, dependent on external Ca2+.
- Increased expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR1 was observed in aged rats.
- Elevated mitochondrial Ca2+ and ROS levels were found in aged animals.
- Aged striatum exhibited decreased Bcl-2 protein and increased apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Altered Ca2+ handling, particularly via NMDA receptors, contributes to aged striatal vulnerability.
- Increased ROS accumulation and reduced Bcl-2 expression promote apoptosis in the aged striatum.
- These age-related molecular changes may underlie neurodegeneration in the rat striatum.
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