Nerve growth factor binding in aged rat central nervous system: Effect of acetyl‐l‐carnitine

L. Angelucci, M. T. Ramacci, G. Taglialatela, C. Hulsebosch, B. Morgan, K. Werrbach‐Perez, J. R. Perez‐Polo

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    114 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The nerve growth factor protein (NGF) has been demonstrated to affect neuronal development and maintenance of the differentiated state in certain neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) of mammals. In the CNS, NGF has sparing effects on cholinergic neurons of the rodent basal forebrain (BF) following lesions where it selectively induces choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). NGF also induces ChAT in the areas to which BF provides afferents. In aged rats, there is a reduction in the NGF‐binding capacity of sympathetic ganglia. Here, we wish to report that there is a decrrease in the NGF‐binding capacity of the hippocampus and basal forebrain of aged (26‐month‐old) rats as compared to 4‐month‐old controls but no change in NGF binding in cerebellum. In all instances, equilibrium binding dissociation constants did not differ significantly. Treatment of rats with acetyl‐L‐carnitine, reported to improve cognitive performance of aged rats, ameliorates these age‐related deficits.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)491-496
    Number of pages6
    JournalJournal of Neuroscience Research
    Volume20
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 1988

    Keywords

    • CNS
    • NGF
    • NGF receptor
    • aging
    • carnitine
    • plasticity

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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