Temporal Profile of Neurochemical Recovery Following Injury by Transient Cerebral Ischemia

• Published in: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences Biological sciences and medical sciences, 1995-09, Vol.50A (5), p.B307-B314
• Main Authors: Waller, Steven B., Nyberg, Paul, Dietz, Nancy J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Aging - metabolism; Animals; Brain - metabolism; Brain - pathology; Choline O-Acetyltransferase - metabolism; Enzymes; Glutamate Decarboxylase - metabolism; Ischemic Attack, Transient - metabolism; Ischemic Attack, Transient - pathology; Ischemic Attack, Transient - physiopathology; Male; Motor Activity; Muscarine - metabolism; Neurology; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Rodents; Stroke; Time Factors
• ISSN: 1079-5006; 1758-535X
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/50A.5.B307

The effects of transient cerebral ischemia by the four-vessel occlusion model on balance beam performance and regional activity ofglutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and muscarinic binding (MusBnd) were evaluated over a six-month postischemia period in 6- and 24-month-old rats. Cerebral ischemia resulted in an early reduction in balance beam performance in young and old rats that partially recovered. GAD in young and old animals and ChA T in old animals and MusBnd in young and old animals were also significantly altered by ischemia. There was partial recovery of each neurochemical marker noted. In some cases the recovery was partially accounted for by the absence of any age-associated changes in the ischemic group. The results of the present study suggest an age-dependent vulnerability to ischemic injury occurs and that the aged brain's γ-aminobutyric and cholinergic systems are capable of measurable recovery.