Behavioural parameters in aged rats are related to LTP and gene expression of ChAT and NMDA-NR2 subunits in the striatum.

Striatal parameters were assessed for their relevance to age-related behavioural decline. Forty aged rats (28-30 months) were tested in the water maze and open field. Of these, seven superior and seven inferior learners were compared with each other in terms of levels of in vitro short- and long-term potentiation (STP and LTP), and gene expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) as well as of the NMDA-NR2A-C subunits assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. Results revealed that the superior as compared with the inferior learners had higher levels of ChAT mRNA in the striatum. For the superior group, ChAT mRNA was correlated with escape on to the cued platform in the water maze, whereas level o…