Memory deficits are associated with impaired ability to modulate neuronal excitability in middle-aged mice

  1. Catherine C. Kaczorowski1,2,3 and
  2. John F. Disterhoft1,2
  1. 1Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA;
  2. 2Department of Physiology M211, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA

    Abstract

    Normal aging disrupts hippocampal neuroplasticity and learning and memory. Aging deficits were exposed in a subset (30%) of middle-aged mice that performed below criterion on a hippocampal-dependent contextual fear conditioning task. Basal neuronal excitability was comparable in middle-aged and young mice, but learning-related modulation of the post-burst afterhyperpolarization (AHP)—a general mechanism engaged during learning—was impaired in CA1 neurons from middle-aged weak learners. Thus, modulation of neuronal excitability is critical for retention of context fear in middle-aged mice. Disruption of AHP plasticity may contribute to contextual fear deficits in middle-aged mice—a model of age-associated cognitive decline (AACD).

    Footnotes

    | Table of Contents