Abstract

The goal of this research project is to use the functional imaging technique, PET, to determine if a reduction in the functional activity of cholinergic neurons is associated with age-related deterioration in cognitive function. The study will compare PET-derived indices of cholinergic function in elderly monkeys who have memory and learning deficits with similar results in unimpaired young and elderly monkeys.
The specific aims of the project include: (1) to identify patterns of individual variations in the severity of cognitive deficits observed in aged rhesus monkeys; (2) to measure baseline cholinergic activity using PET derived quantitation of F-18 FBT concentrations in the striatum of functionally impaired and unimpaired monkeys; (3) to measure the functional responsivity of the cholinergic system in response to D-2 blockade in functionally impaired and unimpaired monkeys; and (4) to measure the differences in dopamine D-2 receptor binding potential in these same populations of monkeys with F-18 labeled FCP. The PET derived indices of cholinergic function will be correlated with levels of functional impairment in the young and elderly monkeys.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01AG013922-04S1
Application #
6326484
Study Section
Diagnostic Radiology Study Section (RNM)
Program Officer
Wagster, Molly V
Project Start
1996-09-01
Project End
2001-08-31
Budget Start
2000-09-01
Budget End
2001-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$50,721
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041418799
City
Winston-Salem
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27106

  Publications

Tinkler, Gregory Paul; Voytko, Mary Lou (2005) Estrogen modulates cognitive and cholinergic processes in surgically menopausal monkeys. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 29:423-31
Voytko, M L; Tinkler, G P (2004) Cognitive function and its neural mechanisms in nonhuman primate models of aging, Alzheimer disease, and menopause. Front Biosci 9:1899-914
Voytko, M L; Mach, R H; Gage, H D et al. (2001) Cholinergic activity of aged rhesus monkeys revealed by positron emission tomography. Synapse 39:95-100
Gage, H D; Voytko, M L; Ehrenkaufer, R L et al. (2000) Reproducibility of repeated measures of cholinergic terminal density using. J Nucl Med 41:2069-76
Voytko, M L (1999) Impairments in acquisition and reversals of two-choice discriminations by aged rhesus monkeys. Neurobiol Aging 20:617-27
Voytko, M L (1998) Nonhuman primates as models for aging and Alzheimer's disease. Lab Anim Sci 48:611-7