Aged Fischer 344 rats exhibit altered orolingual motor function: Relationships with nigrostriatal neurochemical measures

John A. Stanford; Elena Vorontsova; Stewart P. Surgener; Greg A. Gerhardt; Stephen C. Fowler

doi:10.1016/S0197-4580(02)00083-0

Aged Fischer 344 rats exhibit altered orolingual motor function: Relationships with nigrostriatal neurochemical measures

John A. Stanford, Elena Vorontsova, Stewart P. Surgener, Greg A. Gerhardt, Stephen C. Fowler

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study utilized a novel behavioral preparation to measure differences in orolingual motor function between young (6 months) and aged (24 months) Fischer 344 (F344) rats. Rats were trained to lick an isometric force-sensing operandum for water reinforcement so that the number of licks per session, licking rhythm and lick force could be compared between the two groups. The aged rats exhibited a greater number of licks per session, but a slowed licking rhythm, compared to the young rats. Lick force did not differ significantly between the groups. The dopamine (DA) uptake inhibitor nomifensine decreased all three measures in both groups. Analyses of whole brain tissue content of DA, 3,4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the substantia nigra and dorsal striatum revealed no significant differences between the two age groups. Differences were observed between the two groups with respect to relationships between behavioral and neurochemical tissue measures. Striatal DA content and the number of licks per session were positively correlated for the young rats but not for the aged rats. In the aged rats, but not the young rats, positive correlations were also observed between licking rhythm and the DOPAC+HVA/DA ratio in the substantia nigra. These findings suggest that age-related alterations in orolingual motor function may relate in part to functional changes in DA neuronal circuits.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	259-266
Number of pages	8
Journal	Neurobiology of Aging
Volume	24
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0197-4580(02)00083-0
State	Published - Mar 2003

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by Grants from USPHS: AG06434, AG13494, NS39787 (G.A.G.), a level II Research Scientist Award MH01245 (G.A.G.), and MH43429 and DA12508 (S.C.F.).

Keywords

Aging
Basal ganglia
Dopamine
Licking
Movement
Operant

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Neuroscience
Aging
Clinical Neurology
Developmental Biology
Geriatrics and Gerontology

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10.1016/S0197-4580(02)00083-0

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title = "Aged Fischer 344 rats exhibit altered orolingual motor function: Relationships with nigrostriatal neurochemical measures",

abstract = "The present study utilized a novel behavioral preparation to measure differences in orolingual motor function between young (6 months) and aged (24 months) Fischer 344 (F344) rats. Rats were trained to lick an isometric force-sensing operandum for water reinforcement so that the number of licks per session, licking rhythm and lick force could be compared between the two groups. The aged rats exhibited a greater number of licks per session, but a slowed licking rhythm, compared to the young rats. Lick force did not differ significantly between the groups. The dopamine (DA) uptake inhibitor nomifensine decreased all three measures in both groups. Analyses of whole brain tissue content of DA, 3,4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the substantia nigra and dorsal striatum revealed no significant differences between the two age groups. Differences were observed between the two groups with respect to relationships between behavioral and neurochemical tissue measures. Striatal DA content and the number of licks per session were positively correlated for the young rats but not for the aged rats. In the aged rats, but not the young rats, positive correlations were also observed between licking rhythm and the DOPAC+HVA/DA ratio in the substantia nigra. These findings suggest that age-related alterations in orolingual motor function may relate in part to functional changes in DA neuronal circuits.",

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author = "Stanford, {John A.} and Elena Vorontsova and Surgener, {Stewart P.} and Gerhardt, {Greg A.} and Fowler, {Stephen C.}",

note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by Grants from USPHS: AG06434, AG13494, NS39787 (G.A.G.), a level II Research Scientist Award MH01245 (G.A.G.), and MH43429 and DA12508 (S.C.F.).",

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AU - Gerhardt, Greg A.

AU - Fowler, Stephen C.

N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by Grants from USPHS: AG06434, AG13494, NS39787 (G.A.G.), a level II Research Scientist Award MH01245 (G.A.G.), and MH43429 and DA12508 (S.C.F.).

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AB - The present study utilized a novel behavioral preparation to measure differences in orolingual motor function between young (6 months) and aged (24 months) Fischer 344 (F344) rats. Rats were trained to lick an isometric force-sensing operandum for water reinforcement so that the number of licks per session, licking rhythm and lick force could be compared between the two groups. The aged rats exhibited a greater number of licks per session, but a slowed licking rhythm, compared to the young rats. Lick force did not differ significantly between the groups. The dopamine (DA) uptake inhibitor nomifensine decreased all three measures in both groups. Analyses of whole brain tissue content of DA, 3,4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the substantia nigra and dorsal striatum revealed no significant differences between the two age groups. Differences were observed between the two groups with respect to relationships between behavioral and neurochemical tissue measures. Striatal DA content and the number of licks per session were positively correlated for the young rats but not for the aged rats. In the aged rats, but not the young rats, positive correlations were also observed between licking rhythm and the DOPAC+HVA/DA ratio in the substantia nigra. These findings suggest that age-related alterations in orolingual motor function may relate in part to functional changes in DA neuronal circuits.

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Aged Fischer 344 rats exhibit altered orolingual motor function: Relationships with nigrostriatal neurochemical measures

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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