Differential evolution of PSA-NCAM expression during aging of the rat telencephalon

Neurobiol Aging. 2009 May;30(5):808-18. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2007.08.016. Epub 2007 Sep 29.

Abstract

Changes in the ability of neuronal networks to undergo structural remodeling may be involved in the age-associated cognitive decline. The polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) declines dramatically during postnatal development, but persists in several regions of the young-adult rat telencephalon, where it participates, through its anti-adhesive properties, in neuronal structural plasticity. However, PSA-NCAM expression during aging has only been studied in the dentate gyrus and the piriform cortex layer II, where it is strongly downregulated in adult (middle-aged) individuals. Using immunohistochemistry, we have observed that in most of the telencephalic areas studied the number of PSA-NCAM expressing cells and the intensity of PSA-NCAM expression in the neuropil remains stable during aging. Old rats only show decreases in the number of PSA-NCAM expressing cells in the lateral amygdala and retrosplenial cortex, and in neuropil expression of stratum lucidum. Given the role of PSA-NCAM in neuronal plasticity, the present results indicate that, even during aging, many regions of the CNS may display neurite, spine or synaptic remodeling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Aging / pathology
  • Amygdala / cytology
  • Amygdala / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Count
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism
  • Cerebral Cortex / ultrastructure
  • Dendritic Spines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Spines / ultrastructure
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation / physiology
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Limbic System / metabolism
  • Limbic System / ultrastructure
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 / metabolism*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Sialic Acids / metabolism*
  • Telencephalon / cytology
  • Telencephalon / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1
  • Sialic Acids
  • polysialyl neural cell adhesion molecule