Aged Fischer 344 rats exhibit altered orolingual motor function: relationships with nigrostriatal neurochemical measures

Stanford, John A.; Vorontsova, Elena; Surgener, Stewart P.; Gerhardt, Greg A.; Fowler, Stephen C.

doi:10.1016/s0197-4580(02)00083-0

Cited by 28 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…In addition to an age-related slowing of tongue muscle contractions [23], multiple neural mechanisms probably play a role in this phenomenon. We recently reported that licking rhythm in aged rats is correlated with measures of dopamine and dopamine turnover in the substantia nigra [31]. Interestingly, despite lifespan differences, the age of onset of rhythm slowing is similar for these two strains and corresponds with the age of onset of changes in nigrostriatal function [14,36].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The fact that these findings stand in apparent contrast to studies reporting decreased tongue force output in elderly humans [6,21], probably reflects task differences between these studies. For example, studies in humans typically incorporate a measure of maximum force output, while our current and previous [31] studies only involved a minimum force criterion. Also, while the number of motor neurons in the hypoglossal nucleus may not decline with age, there are age-related changes in the tongue musculature (e.g., [18]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The apparatus has been previously described [26,31]. Briefly, data were recorded in a modified rodent operant chamber with a front panel containing a 6-cm square hole at floor level.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Very few studies, however, have examined age-related changes in orolingual motor function using animal models. We recently addressed this issue by comparing orolingual motor function in young (6 mos) versus aged (24 mos) Fischer 344 (F344) rats [31]. Rats were trained to lick water from a disc that was attached to an isometric force transducer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Age-related changes in orolingual motor function in F344 vs F344/BN rats

Zhang¹,

Bethel²,

Smittkamp³

et al. 2008

Physiology & Behavior

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Normal aging is associated with both locomotor and orolingual motor deficits. Preclinical studies of motor function in normal aging, however, have focused primarily on locomotor activity. The purpose of this study was to measure age-related changes in orolingual motor function and compare these changes between two rat strains commonly used in aging studies: Fischer 344 (F344) and Fischer 344/Brown Norway hybrid (F344/BN) rats. Rats (6-, 12-, 18-and 24-months of age) were trained to lick water from an isometric force-sensing operandum so that the number of licks per session, licking rhythm (licks/second) and lick force could be measured. In both strains, the number of licks per session was greatest in the oldest group, while this measure was greater for F344/BN rats at all ages. Peak tongue force increased with age in F344/BN rats, did not change with age in the F344 rats, and was greater for the F344/BN rats at all ages. Both strains exhibited an age-related slowing of licking rhythm beginning with the 18-month-old group. These findings suggest that despite lifespan differences between these two rat strains, diminished tongue motility emerges at the same age.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The apparatus has been previously described [26,31]. Briefly, data were recorded in a modified rodent operant chamber with a front panel containing a 6-cm square hole at floor level.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Age-related changes in orolingual motor function in F344 vs F344/BN rats

Zhang¹,

Bethel²,

Smittkamp³

et al. 2008

Physiology & Behavior

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“…The task is appealing because it is simple to establish, is sensitive, and yields important information about neurobehavioral function quickly. For example, older rats lick at a slower rate than control rats, and this effect is associated with correlations among lick rate, total licking, and dopamine content in striatal and nigral dopamine (Stanford, Vorontsova, Surgener, Gerhardt, & Fowler, 2003). In other studies, lick force has revealed strain differences and distinguished between neuroleptics that act at D1 versus D2 dopamine receptor systems (Wang & Fowler, 1999).…”

Section: Operant Behaviormentioning

confidence: 97%

Environmental health and behavior analysis: Contributions and interactions.

Newland¹

2013

APA Handbook of Behavior Analysis, Vol. 2: Translating Principles Into Practice.

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The heightened public awareness that environmental contaminants can act on the nervous system and have effects that appear in behavior presents a major challenge to behavioral scientists in all areas. They are being asked to conduct both hazard assessment (are there neurobehavioral effects of some chemical at any dose?) and risk assessment (what is the risk to a population at a specific level of exposure?) for behavioral effects that are not always well understood. The heavy metal lead provides an excellent example. Concern over lead poisoning lies in claims that it lowers scores on IQ tests, retards academic performance, and results in disruptive and even criminal behavior. The problems posed are daunting: How easy is it to detect a 5-point drop in scores on IQ tests? Can scientists predict these effects from experimental models using laboratory animals? Can they identify behavioral and neural mechanisms that account for these effects? What economic costs are incurred if the average IQ drops a few points, and how does this cost compare with that of reducing lead in the environment?These concerns are reflected in policymaking. Federal legislation and regulation of toxic substances specifically include behavior, including schedule-controlled operant behavior, as a regulatory endpoint (Tilson, 1990). The inclusion of nervous system damage in general, and its behavioral manifestations in particular, represents a sea change in public concern over unintended exposure to chemicals. Where cancer has been (and still is) a significant concern, the recognition that adverse behavioral effects follow certain types of chemical exposure is increasing. These effects carry over into a large number of domains. Environmental contaminants, even at very low exposure levels, contribute to disorders across the life span, including developmental disabilities and the hastening of age-related impairments. Behavioral scientists' understanding of how this happens not only has public policy implications but can also inform them about the behavior and neurobiology surrounding these disorders.

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