Brain aging studies in animal models of experimentation

Performance of behavioral and neurochemical studies for the detection of cognitive deterioration in experimental animals, and analysis of the effect of strategies aimed at reducing it, such as environmental enrichment, physical exercise and the administration of antioxidants, among others.

The increase in life expectancy around the world has generated the need to better understand the changes that occur in the brain during aging, as well as to find strategies to prevent, delay and mitigate the consequences.

Aging is a biological process that causes the reduction of abilities such as memory, vision, motor coordination and other neurological functions. This cognitive and motor impairment occurs as a result of a decline in neurotransmitter systems and changes in proteins levels related to aging and inflammation.

 This service includes:

  • Evaluation of cognitive abilities in animal models rat and mouse. Performing various behavioral tests such as the analysis of work memory (or short-term memory), visuospatial memory, learning, as well as the analysis of motor coordination and stress level.
  • Analysis of neurotransmitter levels such as dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin in brain samples and other biological samples. Studies of their precursors (dihydroxyphenylalanine and 5-hydroxytryptophan) and some of their degradation metabolites such as 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanilic acid (HVA) and 5- hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) are also carried out.
  • Analysis of the in vivo activity of limiting enzymes in the synthesis of neurotransmitters in animal models. The synthesis rate of the transmitters mentioned above is determined and the activity of the limiting enzymes is analyzed, such as the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) enzyme in the case of dopamine and noradrenaline and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in the case of serotonin
  • Analysis of protein expression in brain samples and other biological samples, both human and animal. Especially proteins related to brain aging and neuroinflammation (such as SIRT1, BDNF, NF-κB, etc.).

In collaboration with:

Logotipus del Ministeri de Ciència, Innovació i Universitats