Smad-dependent alterations of PPT cholinergic neurons as a pathophysiological mechanism of age-related sleep-dependent memory impairments.

Journal article

In humans, memory impairments are highly prevalent in the aged population, but their functional and structural origins are still unknown. We hypothesized that circadian rhythm alterations may predict spatial memory impairment in aged rats. We demonstrate an association between sleep/wake circadian rhythm disturbances (non-REM sleep fragmentation) and spatial memory impairments in aged rats. We show by light and electron microscopy that these age-related disruptions in circadian rhythm and spa...

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Authors: George, O; Parducz, A; Dupret, D; Kharouby, M; Le Moal, M

• Journal: Neurobiology of aging
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1848-1858
• Publication date: 2006-12-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2005.10.014
• EISSN: 1558-1497
• ISSN: 0197-4580
• Language: English
• Keywords: Smad Proteins; Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus; Memory Disorders; Neurons; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats; Sleep Stages; Aging; Circadian Rhythm; Cholinergic Fibers; Animals; Sleep