Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 781.13 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | An age-related decline in neuron addition to HVC is due to decreased proliferation or early cell survival and is independent of hearing. |
| Authors: |
Pytte, C. L.*1
; Kirn, J. R.1
1Dept Biol, Wesleyan Univ, Middletown, CT |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Neuroethology -- Comparative Anatomy and Brain Evolution |
| Session: |
781. Neuroethology VI Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, November 6, 2002 1:00 PM-2:00 PM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 O-18 |
| Keywords: | Songbird, Adult Neurogenesis, Aging, Apoptosis |
The song control nucleus HVC undergoes neuronal replacement throughout adulthood. New neurons are incorporated into functional circuits, responding to auditory stimuli within 1 month of their formation (Paton and Nottebohm 1984). These neurons live for weeks to months before being replaced. Prior work has shown that the number of labeled neurons still present in HVC 4 months post-birthdating declines with age in adult male zebra finches that are between 5 mos-3 years old at the time of cell labeling. (Wang et al. SFN #646.15, 2001). The goals of this study were to determine 1) whether this age effect is present when new neurons are first incorporated into HVC or emerges subsequently due to age-dependent changes in cell death, and 2) whether the age effect is influenced by auditory experience. Birds were deafened by cochlea removal. Two weeks later, deaf and age-matched hearing controls were given BrdU (10 mg/ml, 75 µl injections, 3x day, 4 days). Bird ages at the time of injection were 3-21 mos. Birds were perfused 1 month after the last injection and new HVC neurons were visualized using antibodies to BrdU and the neuronal protein Hu. We found a significant decrease in labeled HVC neurons with increasing age in both hearing (r2=0.49, p=0.0008) and deaf (r2=0.44, p=0.007) birds. There was no difference in the rate of decline between the two groups (ANOVA, p>0.05). These results indicate that the age-related decline in HVC neurons is due to events occurring before the new cells are 1 month old, during proliferation and/or early survival. Furthermore, this age effect persists despite complete auditory deprivation during this 1-month time period.
Supported by NIH DC04724 and DC00467
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
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