Abstract
Aging alters motor performance. Changes in adrenergic systems also occur and may be involved in altered motor function. Since beta-adrenergic input is prominently involved in cerebellar control, the current study investigated the relationship between cerebellar beta-adrenergic status and motor function in old (27 month) and mature (10 month) C57BL mice. Plank balance, photocell box activity and novelty-induced locomotion were all greater in mature compared to old mice ( P < 0.01) as was beta-adrenergic receptor density. Beta-adrenergic receptor density, but not receptor affinity for antagonist, was highly correlated to these measures of motor function when results from both groups of animals were analyzed: Plank balance ( R = 0.80, P < 0.01); locomotion in an open field ( R = 0.60, P < 0.01) and in a photocell box ( R = 0.59, P < 0.02). Aging alters cerebellar motor function and part of this dysfunction is correlated with beta-adrenergic receptor density.
Published Version
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