Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6805043 | Neurobiology of Aging | 2015 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
Fischer 344Â Ã Brown Norway F1 (F344Â Ã BN-F1) hybrid rats express greater longevity with improved health relative to aging rodents of other strains; however, few behavioral reports have thoroughly evaluated cognition across the F344Â Ã BN-F1 lifespan. Consequently, this study evaluated spatial reference memory in F344Â Ã BN-F1 rats at 6, 18, 24, or 28 months of age in the Morris water maze. Reference memory decrements were observed between 6 and 18 months and 18 and 24 months. At 28 months, spatial learning was not worse than 24 months, but swim speed was significantly slower. Reliable individual differences revealed that â¼50% of 24- to 28-month-old rats performed similarly to 6 months, whereas others were spatial learning impaired. Aged rats were impaired at learning within daily training sessions but not impaired at retaining information between days of training. Aged rats were also slower to learn to escape onto the platform, regardless of strategy. In summary, these data clarify the trajectory of cognitive decline in aging F344Â Ã BN-F1 rats and elucidate relevant behavioral parameters.
Keywords
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Ageing
Authors
Joseph A. McQuail, Michelle M. Nicolle,