Age-associated neuronal atrophy occurs in the primate brain and is reversible by growth factor gene therapy

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.96.19.10893
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:35:07Z
• Authors: D. E. Smith; J. Roberts; F. H. Gage; M. H. Tuszynski
• Keywords: Entorhinal cortex; Cognitive Decline; Human brain

The effects of normal aging on the primate brain are incompletely understood. Although both human and nonhuman primates demonstrate clear functional declines in selective attention, “executive” functions, some components declarative memory with aging, most studies have failed to extensive neuronal atrophy or loss as a substrate for these degenerative changes primates. In particular, age-related memory-related regions such hippocampus entorhinal cortex has not been found. However, it is possible that might occur subcortical nuclei modulate activity neocortical regions, thereby accounting altered cognitive function aging. present study, we describe, our knowledge first time, significant decline number size immunolabeled neurons cholinergic basal forebrain aged rhesus monkeys, best animal model by using stereological methods. Notably, markers monkeys was nearly completely reversed nerve growth factor gene delivery. These findings ( i ) identify reversible cellular potential mechanism contributing primates, ii suggest, when considered other studies, exhibit greater vulnerability than cortical iii indicate neurotrophin transfer may be an effective means preventing degeneration neurodegenerative disorders.