The Dopaminergic Dysfunction and Altered Working Memory Performance of Aging Mice Lacking Gamma-synuclein Gene

CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2018;17(8):604-607. doi: 10.2174/1871527317666180726095734.

Abstract

Background: It was previously shown that inactivation of gamma-synuclein which is a small soluble neuronal protein affects psycho-emotional status and cognitive abilities in knock-out mice.

Objective: Determine the role of gamma-synuclein inactivation on memory performance in aging animals.

Method: We used the passive avoidance test and acute amphetamine administration in aging gammasynuclein knock-out mice.

Results: As a result, we found moderate aging-unlinked deficit of dopaminergic neurotransmitter system of gamma-synuclein knock-out mice. At the same time, the evidence of progressive synaptic vesicle trafficking machinery impairment was obtained.

Conclusion: Therefore most likely these dysfunctions are associated with a reduction in the highefficient learning performance in tests that require intact working memory.

Keywords: Gamma-synuclein; and amphetamine induced locomotion; neural tissue; passive-avoidance test; soluble proteins; working memory..

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics*
  • Amphetamine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Avoidance Learning / drug effects
  • Avoidance Learning / physiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Dopamine Agents / pharmacology
  • Locomotion / drug effects
  • Locomotion / genetics
  • Memory Disorders / genetics*
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Reaction Time / drug effects
  • Reaction Time / genetics
  • gamma-Synuclein / deficiency*
  • gamma-Synuclein / genetics

Substances

  • Dopamine Agents
  • gamma-Synuclein
  • Amphetamine
  • Dopamine