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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
Aging is associated with a decrease in synaptosomal glutamate uptake and an increase in the susceptibility of
G T Vatassery1, J C Lai, W E Smith
1Department of Psychiatry, GRECC, VA Medical Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA. vatas001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
Neurochemical Research
|February 25, 1998
Summary
Aging impairs glutamate uptake and increases oxidative stress in rat brain synaptosomes, potentially increasing excitotoxicity risk in older animals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Aging Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Aging affects neuronal function and increases susceptibility to neurodegenerative processes.
- Glutamate excitotoxicity is a significant concern in neurological disorders.
- Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is a key antioxidant in the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of aging on glutamate uptake by synaptosomes.
- To assess the oxidation of vitamin E in synaptosomes from aging rats.
- To explore the implications for excitotoxicity in aged brains.
Main Methods:
- Synaptosomes were isolated from Fischer 344 rats of 4 and 24 months of age.
- Glutamate uptake kinetics (Km) were measured using tritium-labeled glutamate.
- Oxidation of alpha-tocopherol was induced and quantified using ferrous iron and ascorbate.
Main Results:
- Glutamate uptake was significantly lower in synaptosomes from older rats compared to younger rats.
- Alpha-tocopherol oxidation was higher in synaptosomes derived from older rats.
- These findings suggest age-related decline in glutamate clearance and increased oxidative vulnerability.
Conclusions:
- Reduced synaptosomal glutamate reuptake in aging may contribute to excitotoxicity.
- Increased oxidative stress in aged synaptosomes exacerbates neuronal vulnerability.
- Aging compromises key neuroprotective mechanisms, potentially leading to heightened excitotoxicity risk.
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