Motor performance achievements in rats of different ages

Jänicke, B.; Schulze, G.; Coper, H.

doi:10.1016/0531-5565(83)90018-9

Cited by 50 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Similar findings have been made in experimental studies showing greater reduction in motor activity [16] and diminished performance in skilled and unskilled motor tasks in aged rats [17,28]. Sustained high levels of glucocorticoids may compromise the ability to overcome ischemia-induced deficits both on the neuronal and functional level [18][19][20][21][22].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Synergistic effects of age and stress in a rodent model of stroke

Merrett

Kirkland

Metz

2010

Behavioural Brain Research

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Ageing and stress represent critical influences on stroke risk and outcome. These variables are intricately linked, as ageing is frequently associated with gradual dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This study determined the effects of stress on motor function in aged rats, and explored possible interactions of age and stress on motor recovery following stroke in a rat model. Young adult (4 months) and aged (18 months) male Wistar rats were tested in skilled and non-skilled movement before and after focal ischemia in motor cortex. One group of each age received restraint stress starting seven days pre-lesion until three weeks post-lesion. Aged rats were less mobile and stress further diminished their overall exploratory activity. Aged rats were also less proficient in motor skill acquisition and slower to improve after lesion. Stress diminished post-lesion improvement and prevented recovery of endpoint measures. The larger functional loss in aged rats vs. young rats was accompanied by greater damage of cortical tissue and persistent elevations in corticosterone levels. The behavioural and physiological measures suggest limited ability of aged animals to adapt to chronic stress. These findings show that age or stress alone can modulate motor performance but may have greater influence by synergistically affecting stroke recovery.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Synergistic effects of age and stress in a rodent model of stroke

Merrett

Kirkland

Metz

2010

Behavioural Brain Research

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“…The rotorod test was used to measure motor coordination and balance (Janicke et al, 1983;L uo et al, 1996). The rotorod apparatus, Rotarod M EC O, was purchased from Columbus Instruments and consists of a 1.75 inch rod with a rubber outer texture for grip.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overexpression of α-Internexin Causes Abnormal Neurofilamentous Accumulations and Motor Coordination Deficits in Transgenic Mice

et al. 1999

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alpha-Internexin is the first neuronal intermediate filament (IF) protein expressed in postmitotic neurons of the developing nervous system. In the adult, its expression is restricted to mature neurons in the CNS. To study the potential role of alpha-internexin in neurodegeneration, we have generated transgenic mice that overexpress rat alpha-internexin. The total levels of alpha-internexin expressed in the hemizygous and homozygous transgenic mice were approximately 2 and approximately 3 times the normal level, respectively. Overexpression of alpha-internexin resulted in the formation of cerebellar torpedoes as early as 1 month of age. These torpedoes are abnormal swellings of Purkinje cell axons that are usually seen in neurodegenerative diseases involving the cerebellum. EM studies showed accumulations of high levels of IFs and abnormal organelles in the torpedoes and soma of Purkinje cells, as well as in the large pyramidal neurons of the neocortex and in the ventral anterior and posteromedial nuclei of the thalamus. Behavioral tests demonstrate that these mice have a deficit in motor coordination as early as 3 months of age, consistent with the morphological neuronal changes. Our data further demonstrate that the neurofilamentous inclusions also lead to progressive loss of neurons in the aged transgenic mice. The motor coordination deficit and the loss of neurons are transgene dosage-dependent. These data yield direct evidence that high levels of misaccumulated neuronal IFs lead to neuronal dysfunction, progressive neurodegeneration, and ultimate loss of neurons. Moreover, the degrees of neuronal dysfunction and degeneration are proportional to the levels of misaccumulated neuronal IFs.

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“…On the basis of this infor mation it excites and inhibits the higher mo tor centers including the spinal cord, the nu clei of the brainstem, and the motor cortex to adapt locomotion to the peculiarities of the environment [19]. In view of the com plexity of the requirements to coordinate the quadruped gait of rats in a confined walk way, there is a high probability that changes of walking pattern with age are not only the result of cerebellar dysfunction but also of the overall decline of motor performance with age [20,21],…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Training Influence on Age-Dependent Changes in the Gait of Rats

Dorner

Otte²,

Platt³

1996

Gerontology

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Stride length, stance width and gait symmetry were measured as parameters of gait analysis in young (5 months) and old (28 months) Sprague-Dawley rats following 3 months of treadmill running as well as in sedentary controls. Stride length decreased significantly with age and increased significantly following training in both young and old rats. Means of stance width increased significantly with age, but were unaffected by training. Gait symmetry declined with age; however, treadmill running counteracted the decline of gait symmetry. It was concluded that treadmill running compensates for or prevents age-related changes in the neuromuscular function of rats, which lead to gait detoriation.

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Motor performance achievements in rats of different ages

Cited by 50 publications

References 15 publications

Synergistic effects of age and stress in a rodent model of stroke

Synergistic effects of age and stress in a rodent model of stroke

Overexpression of α-Internexin Causes Abnormal Neurofilamentous Accumulations and Motor Coordination Deficits in Transgenic Mice

Training Influence on Age-Dependent Changes in the Gait of Rats

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