Amelioration of age-related neurochemical and behavioral deficits by 3,4-diaminopyridine.

Alterations of the cholinergic system may be responsible for age-related changes in behavior. The in vitro calcium dependent release of acetylcholine and tight rope test performance decline in parallel during senescence. 3,4-Diaminopyridine, which enhances calcium influx by nerve terminals, diminishes these age-related alterations. In aged mice (30 month old), 3,4-diaminopyridine increases the calcium dependent release of acetylcholine (260%) and improves tight rope test performance (428%). These results support the hypothesis that alterations in calcium homeostasis underlie some of the cholinergic and behavioral deficits that accompany senescence.