Age-Dependent Differences in Behavioral Responses: the Impact of Hsp70 and Hsp90 in the Frontal Cortex

Abstract

Age-related neurological complications are common and affect the quality of life. The present study was designed to investigate age-dependent changes in behavioral responses and the role of protective heat shock proteins (Hsp)s 70 and Hsp 90, which expression in the frontal cortex (FC) might be vulnerable to aging processes in rats. We report that 3-month-old rats exhibited the highest motor activity and lowest anxiety (increased distance, time and number of entries in the open arms of the elevated plus maze) compared to 14-and 18-month-old rats. Moreover, old rats showed a decreased level of Hsp 70 and Hsp 90 in the FC compared to young adult rats. These findings suggest that the aging process is accompanied by changes in emotional status that might be associated with a decreased function of protective chaperone proteins in the FC.