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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
Accumulated hippocampal formaldehyde induces age-dependent memory decline.
Zhiqian Tong1, Chanshuai Han, Wenhong Luo
1State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
|March 3, 2012
Summary
Elevated formaldehyde in the hippocampus impairs spatial memory and long-term potentiation (LTP) in aging rats. This suggests excess formaldehyde is a key factor in age-related memory decline and dementia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Aging and Alzheimer's disease are linked to memory decline and impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP).
- The role of endogenous formaldehyde in hippocampal function and memory during aging is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the accumulation of formaldehyde in the hippocampus during aging.
- To determine the effects of excess formaldehyde on spatial memory, hippocampal LTP, and NMDA receptor function.
Main Methods:
- Spatial memory was assessed in rats following formaldehyde injections.
- Hippocampal LTP was measured.
- Expression of NR1 and NR2B subunits of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Hippocampal formaldehyde levels were elevated in conditions of memory deterioration.
- Formaldehyde injection impaired spatial memory and suppressed hippocampal LTP by blocking NMDA receptors.
- Chronic formaldehyde exposure reduced hippocampal viability and down-regulated NR1/NR2B expression.
Conclusions:
- Excess endogenous formaldehyde accumulates in the hippocampus in age-related memory decline.
- Formaldehyde significantly impairs memory and LTP, implicating it as a critical factor in age-related memory loss.
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