title: Reparative processes in aged brain.
abstract: Endogenous neurotrophic factors have been proposed to play an important role in degenerative diseases and aging. In aged rats, neurotrophic activity induced by partial lesion of nigro-striatal pathways seems to be lower compared to young rats when assayed in vitro on cultured mesencephalic dissociated neuronal cells. In parallel experiments, we could also observe an age-dependent delay in spontaneous recovery of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity after lesion. Both experimental evidences suggest a low-potential neuroplasticity in aged rats. Nevertheless, the aging brain seems to be responsive to pharmacological manipulation. Long-term phosphatidylserine treatment has been shown to maintain the integrity of neuronal structures altered by the aging process. Putative mechanisms of action underlying these effects are presented.
authors.affiliation: Fidia Neurobiological Research Laboratories, Abano Terme, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calderini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Consolazione
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dal Toso
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Milan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toffano
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins