application): Research: The cerebellar noradrenergic system is critical in motor learning processes. Plasticity in the motor system is important for the elderly because many individuals must adapt to new environments and new ways of moving around in old environments; in addition, rehabilitation from strokes that affect the motor system requires relearning of basic motor skills. There is a decline in motor plasticity in aged animals and humans. Understanding this decline in plasticity in aged animals is of significant importance. A decline in learning is associated with a loss of cerebellar beta-adrenergic function. They seek to understand the biological mechanism underlying the age-associated decline in cerebellar beta-adrenergic receptor function and associated motor behavior. They will examine signal transduction mechanisms of the beta-adrenergic receptor using electrophysiological techniques. Oxidative stress has been shown to impair both motor learning and beta-adrenergic function. They will also examine the role of oxidative stress and treatments that ameliorate oxidative stress on beta-adrenergic function and motor learning both in vivo and in vitro. Understanding the functional basis for motor plasticity and the effects of antioxidant therapy is clearly critical for the development of optimal therapeutic strategies for rehabilitation of the aging population.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01AG000961-01A1
Application #
6196062
Study Section
National Institute on Aging Initial Review Group (NIA)
Program Officer
Finkelstein, Judith A
Project Start
2000-09-15
Project End
2004-08-31
Budget Start
2000-09-15
Budget End
2001-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$88,878
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
065391526
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
DeDe, Gayle (2012) Lexical and prosodic effects on syntactic ambiguity resolution in aphasia. J Psycholinguist Res 41:387-408
Dede, Gayle (2010) Utilization of prosodic information in syntactic ambiguity resolution. J Psycholinguist Res 39:345-74