Clinical applications of neurotransmitter-receptor studies in geriatric neuropharmacology.
The use of ligand-binding methods to study neurotransmitter-receptor sites has made its impact on almost all aspects of biological pursuits including research on aging and neurodegenerative diseases. In the past, most of the research in biochemical gerontology has largely centered around changes in various neurotransmitters and enzymatic activities. The molecular basis of aging and neurodegeneration at the level of neurotransmitter-receptor interactions has been highly appreciated in the last two decades as a result of receptor binding studies. It is now possible to obtain information about the regional distribution of neurotransmitter receptors in the brain, the pharmacological and biochemical characteristics of these sites, and the functional interrelationships between different neuronal systems in normal and pathological conditions. The passage of time after maturity is accompanied by measurable physiologic decline in virtually all systems. It is the aim of this work to discuss the practical aspects of neurotransmitter and/or drug (ligand)-receptor binding studies, highlighting some examples of their applications to geriatric neuropharmacology research, with special consideration to learning impairment and memory loss in normal and in pathological aging processes.
Gómez-Vargas
M
M
Department of Neuroscience, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Ogawa
N
N
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000378:metabolism; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005609:Free Radicals; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter