Changes in GABA-immunoreactivity and GABA-transaminase activity in rat amygdaloid complex in aging.
The distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), gamma-aminobutyric acid-transaminase (GABA-T) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) in the amygdaloid complex of young adult (3-month old) and aged (26-month old) Wistar rats was compared by using histo- and immunohistochemical techniques. The study revealed a heterogeneous distribution of GABA-immunoreactive and GABA-T positive nerve cells, fibers and terminals in various amygdaloid nuclei of young adult rats. A significant reduction in the density of GABA-immunoreactive neurons was demonstrated in the amygdala of aged rats. Reduced density and staining of GABA- and GABA-T-positive fibers and terminals were also seen in aged rat amygdala. Heavily GABA- and GABA-T-stained aberrant fibers and coarse puncta were clustered around blood vessels as well as under the pial and ependymal surfaces. GFAP-immunostaining demonstrated numerous hypertrophic astrocytes in these areas.
Lolova
I
I
Institute of Physiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia.
Davidoff
M
M
D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase