Impaired Maze Learning and Cerebral Glucose Utilization in Aged Hypertensive Rats

摘要: To elucidate the effects of prolonged hypertension on brain function during aging, we examined learning an eight-arm radial maze task and local cerebral glucose utilization in young-adult (3 to 4 months old) aged (16 17 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). Young-adult SHR learned more slowly than WKY, but utilization, measured by [14C]2-deoxyglucose method 24 structures, was not significantly different two groups. The WKY exhibited impaired ability. Cerebral reduced (13% 23%) six regions 12 compared with values respective Furthermore, showed a greater disturbance acquisition profound reduction five WKY. In SHR, hypometabolism, indicated decrease 15 structures including cortex, hippocampus, visual system, correlated acquisition, increase total error choices. These findings show that (1) per se does impair or rats, (2) is aging additional factor facilitating dysfunction associated neuronal hypoactivities, resulting behavioral deterioration disability. Thus, early control seems important for preventing reducing senescence.