Effects of caloric restriction on monoaminergic neurotransmission, peripheral hormones, and olfactory memory in aged rats

Divka Rojic-Becker, Marta Portero-Tresserra, Margarita Martí-Nicolovius, Anna Vale-Martínez, Gemma Guillazo-Blanch*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
3 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Aging is associated with a reduced ability to identify and discriminate scents, and olfactory dysfunction has been linked to preclinical stages of neurodegenerative diseases in humans. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that smell-driven behaviors are regulated by hormones like insulin or leptin, and by metabolic parameters like glucose, which in turn may influence monoaminergic neurotransmission in brain areas related to cognition. Several studies have suggested that dietary interventions like caloric restriction (CR) can mitigate the age-induced decline in memory by modifying metabolic parameters and brain monoaminergic levels. The present study explored the effects of CR on age-dependent olfactory memory deficits, as well as their relationship with peripheral leptin, insulin and glucose levels, and brain monoamines. To this end, aged rats (24-months-old) fed on a CR diet or with ad libitum access to food, and adult rats (3–4 months), were trained in an odor discrimination task (ODT). The peripheral plasma levels of insulin, leptin, and glucose, and of monoamines and metabolites/precursors in brain areas related to olfactory learning and memory processes, such as the striatum and frontal cortex (FC), were determined. The data obtained indicated that CR attenuated the age-dependent decline in olfactory sensitivity in old animals fed ad libitum, which was correlated with the performance in ODT retention trial, as well as with leptin plasma levels. CR enhanced dopamine levels in the striatum, while it attenuated the age-related decline in serotonin levels in the striatum and FC. Such findings support a positive effect of CR on age-dependent olfactory sensitivity decline and dysfunctions in brain monoamine levels.

Original languageEnglish
Article number113328
Number of pages9
JournalBehavioural Brain Research
Volume409
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jul 2021

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Frontal cortex
  • IGF-1
  • Leptin
  • Odor-reward association
  • Striatum

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of caloric restriction on monoaminergic neurotransmission, peripheral hormones, and olfactory memory in aged rats'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this