Memory deficits are associated with impaired ability to modulate neuronal excitability in middle-aged mice

作者：Kaczorowski Catherine C^*; Disterhoft John F

来源：Learning & Memory, 2009, 16(6): 362-366.

DOI：10.1101/lm.1365609

Normal aging disrupts hippocampal neuroplasticity and learning and memory. Aging deficits were exposed in a subset (30%) of middle-aged mice that performed below criterion on a hippocampal-dependent contextual fear conditioning task. Basal neuronal excitability was comparable in middle-aged and young mice, but learning-related modulation of the post-burst afterhyperpolarization (AHP)-a general mechanism engaged during learning-was impaired in CA1 neurons from middle-aged weak learners. Thus, modulation of neuronal excitability is critical for retention of context fear in middle-aged mice. Disruption of AHP plasticity may contribute to contextual fear deficits in middle-aged mice-a model of age-associated cognitive decline (AACD).

• 出版日期2009-6
• 单位西北大学