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Vesicular and ganglionic norepinephrine in the rat: progressive increase with age
1Laboratory of the Autonomic Nervous System, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Journal of Neurochemistry
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Aging increases norepinephrine in rat brain synaptic vesicles, while dopamine levels remain stable. Dopamine transport into vesicles may enhance with age, impacting neurotransmitter balance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurochemistry
Background:
- Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE), are crucial for brain function.
- Age-related changes in neurotransmitter storage and transport can impact neuronal communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-dependent alterations in dopamine and norepinephrine concentrations within rat brain synaptic vesicles and cytoplasm.
- To examine the effect of L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine administration on these neurotransmitters in young and aged rats.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of dopamine and norepinephrine in synaptic vesicle and cytoplasmic fractions from rat brains and superior cervical ganglia of 2-month and 14-month-old rats.
- Administration of L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine to assess its impact on neurotransmitter levels.
Main Results:
- Norepinephrine significantly increased in synaptic vesicles of aged rats, while cytoplasmic norepinephrine remained unchanged.
- Dopamine levels in brain fractions did not vary with age, but increased in superior cervical ganglia of older rats.
- L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine administration elevated dopamine in ganglia across all ages and in brain synaptic vesicles of aged rats.
Conclusions:
- Rat brain synaptic vesicles are predominantly noradrenergic.
- Aging facilitates dopamine transport into synaptic vesicles, potentially explaining increased vesicular norepinephrine in older rats.
- Age-related changes in neurotransmitter dynamics may influence neuronal function.