Abstract
Dynorphin has a well-established role in feeding and gustation. Alterations in taste perception and feeding behavior are common with age. We hypothesized that proDynorphin gene expression in brain areas involved in taste and feeding declines with age. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed individually with ad libitum access to food and water. Brain punches of the selected regions were dissected out in groups of rats aged 4-6, 12-14 and 18-21 months. ProDynorphin mRNA (measured using a cDNA probe) decreased significantly with age in arcuate nucleus and amygdala; increased significantly with age in hippocampus; and was not significantly affected in nucleus of the solitary tract, cortex, caudate putamen or hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. These data suggest an age-related decrease in the synthesis of dynorphin in two brain regions strongly associated with feeding behavior, and an increase in dynorphin synthesis in a brain region associated with learning and memory.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1343-1347 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Neurobiology of Aging |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2004 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We would like to thank Dr. Eun-mee Kim and Ms. Jacqueline Briggs for their expert technical assistance with the proDynorphin gene expression measurements. Supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant DA03999 and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Grant DK57573.
Copyright:
Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Aged
- Aging
- Brain
- Dynorphin
- Feeding behavior
- Opioids