Cited by 2,088Memory and Neural MechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeural dynamics and brain function

Memory deficits associated with senescence: A neurophysiological and behavioral study in the rat.

Barnes, C. A.·1979·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology

Abstract

Neurophysiological and behavioral measures were obtained from 32 senescent (28--34 mo) and 32 mature adult (10--16 mo) rats. Extracellularly recorded synaptic responses were obtained from electrodes chronically implanted in the fascia dentata and perforant path. The rats were first tested on a circular platform, which favored the use of spatial cues for its solution, and the senescent rats were shown to exhibit poorer memory for the rewarded place. When granule cell synaptic responses were recorded after a single session of very brief high-frequency stimulation, the amount of elevation and time course of decline were equivalent between age groups. Af ter three repetitions, however, the young rats maintained the increased synaptic strength for at least 14 days, whereas the old rats declined after the first session. The amount of synaptic enhancement was statistically correlated with the ability to perform the circular platform task both within and between groups. Furthermore, the aftereffects of the high-frequency stimulation selectively impaired the old rats' spontaneous alternation behavior on a T-maze. Certain other neurophysiological and electroencephalographic measures did not distinguish between age groups. The results are discussed in terms of the synaptic theory of memory formation and of their relevance to the aging process.

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Crossref · 10.1037/h0077579

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Authors
Barnes, C. A.
Affiliations
University of Oslo (NO)
Corresponding author
Barnes, C. A.
Venue
Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology
Published
1979
Volume
93
Issue
1
Pages
74-104
ISSN
0021-9940 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2103861118
Cited by
2,088
References
65
Citations by year
2026: 37 · 2025: 86 · 2024: 75 · 2023: 74 · 2022: 70 · 2021: 69 · 2020: 69 · 2019: 62 · 2018: 93 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 68 · 2015: 82 · 2014: 68 · 2013: 70 · 2012: 62
FWCI
16.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
Keywords
memory impairment, aging, senescence, synaptic plasticity, high-frequency stimulation, long-term potentiation, long-term depression, hippocampus, dentate gyrus, perforant path, spatial memory, spontaneous alternation, T-maze
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aging, Animals, Brain Mapping, Electroencephalography, Evoked Potentials, Hippocampus, Humans, Limbic System, Male, Membrane Potentials, Memory Disorders, Neural Pathways, Synaptic Transmission, Reaction Time, Rats

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