Age-related cognitive deficits mediated by changes in the striatal dopamine system.
OBJECTIVE
The study examined the influence of losses in dopaminergic function on age-related cognitive deficits.


METHODS
Eleven healthy subjects (21-68 years of age) completed a set of cognitive tasks used to assess perceptual speed and episodic memory. D(2) receptor binding was measured in the caudate and the putamen by using positron emission tomography.


RESULTS
A gradual age-related deterioration was found for all cognitive tasks and for D(2) binding in both striatal structures. Statistical control of D(2) binding eliminated the age-related cognitive variation, whereas residual effects of D(2) binding were seen after the analysis controlled for age.


CONCLUSIONS
D(2) receptor binding is a more important factor than chronological age in accounting for variation in cognitive performance across the adult lifespan. Changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission play an important role in aging-related cognitive decline.
Bäckman
L
L
Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden. lars.backman@psyk.uu.se
Ginovart
N
N
Dixon
R A
RA
Wahlin
T B
TB
Wahlin
A
A
Halldin
C
C
Farde
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
D004298:Dopamine