Age-related impairment in learning but not memory in SAMP8 female mice.
Four-month and 12-month-old SAM (Senescence Accelerated Mouse)-P8 and -R1 female mice, either intact or ovariectomized, were trained to avoid foot shock in a T-maze. Mice were trained until they made their first avoidance. Memory retention of this task was then tested 1 week later. The results indicated that P8, but not R1, female mice whether intact or ovariectomized, showed an age-related learning impairment. This impairment was more apparent in ovariectomized mice, as ovariectomy was associated with a significant reduction in the mean trials to make an avoidance in all groups except 12-month P8 females. Of greatest interest was the absence of any age-related impairment of retention in P8 females. In several previous studies, SAM-P8, but not R1, males showed an age-related impairment of learning and memory. These results indicate that age-related impairment of memory in P8 mice may be inherited in a sex-related manner, and suggests that the mechanisms involved in the development of impaired learning and memory are different.
Flood
J F
JF
Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, GRECO, VA Medical Center, St. Louis, MO 63109, USA.
Farr
S A
SA
Kaiser
F E
FE
Morley
J E
JE
D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D011374:Progesterone