Associate Provost for Research Boston University Medical Campus
NIA - National Institute on Aging	Research Resources

Abstract

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Using a non-human primate model of normal aging, this investigation will explore the role of adult cell genesis in the hippocampus and surrounding areas of the primate brain. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU, a marker of cell proliferation) will be injected into both young and old rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). After injection of BrdU, a subset of monkeys will be given a behavioral task to induce neurogenesis. Post-mortem analysis of brain tissue using immunohistochemistry, stereology, and confocal microscopy, will identify newly created neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. This study will analyze two sets of experimental data. 1) Differentiation of newly created cells under basal conditions will be examined in young and old animals. Preliminary results suggest that there are changes in adult cell genesis with age; the details of these changes will be explored. 2) Learning has been shown to increase adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. This plasticity will be compared in young and old animals that received post-BrdU behavioral testing. It has been established that cognitive decline occurs with age. This proposed investigation will determine if there are changes in adult cell genesis that could be important in the neurobiological basis of age-related cognitive decline.

Thesaurus Terms:
age difference, astrocyte, cell proliferation, neurogenesis, oligodendroglia
biological model, cell differentiation, cognition, hippocampus, learning, neural plasticity
Macaca mulatta, behavior test, bromodeoxyuridine, computer program /software, confocal scanning microscopy, immunocytochemistry, predoctoral investigator

Institution:	BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
	715 ALBANY ST, 560
	BOSTON, MA 021182394
Fiscal Year:	2005
Department:	ANATOMY AND NEUROBIOLOGY
Project Start:	01-JAN-2003
Project End:	31-OCT-2005
ICD:	NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
IRG:	ZRG1