Aging differentially affects LTCC function in hippocampal CA1 and piriform cortex pyramidal neurons.

ABSTRACT: Aging is associated with cognitive decline and memory loss in humans. In rats, aging-associated neuronal excitability changes and impairments in learning have been extensively studied in the hippocampus. Here, we investigated the roles of L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) in the rat piriform cortex (PC), in comparison with those of the hippocampus. We employed spatial and olfactory tasks that involve the hippocampus and PC. LTCC blocker nimodipine administration impaired spontaneous location recognition in adult rats (6-9 months). However, the same blocker rescued the spatial learning deficiency in aged rats (19-23 months). In an odor-associative learning task, infusions of nimodipine into either the PC or dorsal CA1 impaired the ability of adult rats to learn a positive odor association. Ag

SUBMITTER: Maziar A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9930631 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature