[3H]d-Aspartic acid release in brain slices of adult and aged fischer 344 rats

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Abstract
Alterations in glutamate content and uptake have been reported to occur in aged animals. The present studies used [3H]d-Aspartic acid ([3H]-D-ASP) release as a marker for glutamate neurotransmission. Frequency dependent [3H]-D-ASP release was measured in adult (8 month) and aged (28–30 month) Fischer 344 rats. Relatively high stimulation frequencies (>10 Hz) were required to induce [3H]-D-ASP release in both adult and aged F344 rats in temporal cortex and hippocampus. In both brain areas aged animals showed significantly more [3H]-D-ASP release than adult animals Kainic acid 1 mM failed to induce the release of [3H]-D-ASP in either temporal cortex or hippocampus. Omega conotoxin GVIA (5×10−9M) a N and L type voltage sensitive calcium channel antagonist failed to inhibit [3H]-D-ASP stimulated release. These results demonstrate an increase in [3H]-D-ASP release in aged compared to adult F344 rats. The data also suggest a novel calcium channel may be involved in [3H]-D-ASP release.