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Neuronal basis of age-related working memory decline

Author

Listed:
  • Min Wang

    (Yale University School of Medicine)

  • Nao J. Gamo

    (Yale University School of Medicine)

  • Yang Yang

    (Yale University School of Medicine)

  • Lu E. Jin

    (Yale University School of Medicine)

  • Xiao-Jing Wang

    (Yale University School of Medicine)

  • Mark Laubach

    (Yale University School of Medicine
    The John B. Pierce Laboratory)

  • James A. Mazer

    (Yale University School of Medicine)

  • Daeyeol Lee

    (Yale University School of Medicine)

  • Amy F. T. Arnsten

    (Yale University School of Medicine)

Abstract

Reversing age-related memory loss Normal ageing results in the decline of higher cognitive functions, such as working memory and the ability to concentrate. A connection between the neurochemical environment and neuronal function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been proposed as a key factor modulating these declines. Recordings from PFC neurons in young, middle-aged and older monkeys during a learning task reveal a significant decline in persistent firing in the aged PFC neurons that are responsible for maintaining the signal in working memory during a delay following a cue. This firing level can be rescued by restoring an optimal neurochemical environment, present at younger ages, through inhibition of cyclic AMP signalling and closure of the potassium channels that weaken network connectivity. These findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for cognitive enhancers in humans.

Suggested Citation

  • Min Wang & Nao J. Gamo & Yang Yang & Lu E. Jin & Xiao-Jing Wang & Mark Laubach & James A. Mazer & Daeyeol Lee & Amy F. T. Arnsten, 2011. "Neuronal basis of age-related working memory decline," Nature, Nature, vol. 476(7359), pages 210-213, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:476:y:2011:i:7359:d:10.1038_nature10243
    DOI: 10.1038/nature10243
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    Cited by:

    1. Bruton, Oliver J., 2021. "Is there a “g-neuron”? Establishing a systematic link between general intelligence (g) and the von Economo neuron," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    2. Huee Ru Chong & Yadollah Ranjbar-Slamloo & Malcolm Zheng Hao Ho & Xuan Ouyang & Tsukasa Kamigaki, 2023. "Functional alterations of the prefrontal circuit underlying cognitive aging in mice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Sonia Cavaliere & Bilal R Malik & James J L Hodge, 2013. "KCNQ Channels Regulate Age-Related Memory Impairment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-8, April.
    4. Maria Wilhelm & Yaroslav Sych & Aleksejs Fomins & José Luis Alatorre Warren & Christopher Lewis & Laia Serratosa Capdevila & Roman Boehringer & Elizabeth A. Amadei & Benjamin Grewe & Eoin C. O’Connor , 2023. "Striatum-projecting prefrontal cortex neurons support working memory maintenance," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.

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