The broad long-term objective is to provide first time data on the behavioral effects of melatonin uses a neuroprotective agent in a improved model of hypoxia-induced amnesia (HIA) in animals by isolating the effects on short-term from long-term memory in both young and aged subjects. In addition, assays of brain homogenates will offer melatonin's specificity of neuroprotection in the brain. These data are important because of their possible relevance to true clinical populations. If melatonin is to be considered an anti-oxidative therapy in the treatment of disease related free radical formation, it must first be determined that in vivo and in vitro results translate to real behavioral changes and how these behavioral changes are altered in older organisms. Furthermore, understanding melatonin's mode of protection, """"""""what is its specificity in the brain) may guide the possible treatment strategy in the application of melatonin in not only the treatment of hypoxia-induced damaged, but to other neurodegenerative disease that commonly affect older adults and sometimes prematurely affect young adults.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31NS010811-02
Application #
6078209
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG2-BEM (02))
Program Officer
Heemskerk, Jill E
Project Start
1999-09-18
Project End
Budget Start
1999-09-18
Budget End
2000-09-17
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas El Paso
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
El Paso
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
79968
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Sumaya, I C; Rienzi, B M; Deegan 2nd, J F et al. (2001) Bright light treatment decreases depression in institutionalized older adults: a placebo-controlled crossover study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 56:M356-60