Blunted cortisol rhythm is associated with learning impairment in aged hamsters.
In mammals, the cognitive decline that accompanies unsuccessful aging is associated with circadian rhythm dysfunction and increased levels of circulating glucocorticoids. The possible causal relations among these factors are not known. To test for primary effects of circadian clock dysfunction versus increased glucocorticoid levels as contributors to age-related learning impairment, we measured cortisol and wheel-running rhythms along with context learning in aged hamsters (15-18 months). At this age, locomotor rhythms of learners and nonlearners were found to be indistinguishable. However, plasma cortisol levels were lower, and the amplitude of the cortisol rhythm was reduced in the impaired animals. These data suggest that age-related cognitive decline may be related more to a loss of hormone rhythmicity than to a loss of behavioral rhythmicity or an increase in hormone level.
Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, 100 St. George Street, Room 4020, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G3. swcain@hotmail.com
Sean W
SW
Cain
Ilia
I
Karatsoreos
Neelam
N
Gautam
Yaroslav
Y
Konar
Douglas
D
Funk
Robert J
RJ
McDonald
Martin R
MR
Ralph
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology; D006224:Cricetinae; D004777:Environment; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*
D006854:Hydrocortisone