Yamaguchi T, Yamaguchi M
Neurochem Res. 1987 Feb;12(2):215-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00979540.
Calcium uptake by the cortical synaptosomes in a rodent (Fischer rat) and an insectivore shrew (Suncus murinus) was detected as a parameter reflecting molecular dysfunction of the aging brain. The change in calcium uptake by the cortical synaptosomes in both species was concomitant which showed less than half the capacity at 24 months old animals compared with those at 8 months old. On the other hand, 5-hydroxytryptamine binding and imipramine binding to the membrane fraction of aging rat brain cortex was not altered in terms of binding capacity along with aging, while, in Suncus, the binding of both serotonergic ligands declined with aging. In order to elucidate decreased serotonergic activity in human demented aged brain, together with declining activity in neurotransmitting systems detectable as a function of calcium uptake by the cortical synaptosomes, Suncus may be an appropriate animal model for studying physiological aging processes in the mammalian brain cortex.
检测了啮齿动物（费希尔大鼠）和食虫鼩鼱（臭鼩）皮质突触体对钙的摄取，将其作为反映衰老大脑分子功能障碍的一个参数。两种物种皮质突触体对钙摄取的变化是同步的，24月龄动物的摄取能力不到8月龄动物的一半。另一方面，老年大鼠大脑皮质膜部分的5-羟色胺结合和丙咪嗪结合能力并未随衰老而改变，而在臭鼩中，两种血清素能配体的结合均随衰老而下降。为了阐明人类老年痴呆大脑中血清素能活性的降低，以及作为皮质突触体钙摄取功能可检测到的神经传递系统活性的下降，臭鼩可能是研究哺乳动物大脑皮质生理衰老过程的合适动物模型。
