Age-related loss of olfactory sensitivity: association to dopamine transporter binding in putamen.
The relationship between age-related reductions in the binding potential for the striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) and age-related deficits in olfactory sensitivity was examined in 12 subjects ranging from 36 to 82 years of age. Positron emission tomography (PET) and the radioligand [(11)C]beta-CIT-FE were used to determine DAT binding in two striatal regions, the caudate and the putamen. The results showed age-related losses of DAT binding from early to late adulthood of similar size for caudate and putamen, and there was a pronounced age deterioration in olfactory sensitivity. Importantly, the age-related olfactory deficit was associated with reductions in DAT binding in putamen, but not caudate. Also, DAT binding in putamen added systematic variance in odor threshold after controlling for age. The findings indicate that DAT binding in putamen is related to age-related olfactory deficits, as well as to odor sensitivity independently of age.
Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Frescati Hagväg 14, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden. maria.larsson@psychology.su.se
M
M
Larsson
L
L
Farde
T
T
Hummel
M
M
Witt
N Erixon
NE
Lindroth
L
L
Bäckman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009662:Nortropanes; D009812:Odorants; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011485:Protein Binding; D011699:Putamen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012903:Smell
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C097058:N-(2-fluoroethyl)-2-carbomethoxy-3-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane; D009662:Nortropanes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals