Gerontologia · 2009 · 32 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesNeurosciencePhysiologyAgingNeurochemistryNeuropharmacologyAge-related Physiological ChangesAging PhysiologyBiological AgingCholinergic NeurochemistryCholinergic PharmacologyCholinergic SignalingAcetylcholine MetabolismCholine Acetyltransferase ActivityCholine MetabolismCholinergic CircuitsCholinergic ModulationCholinergic Signal TransductionCholinergic Signaling PathwaysCholinergic Tone
In experiments on adult and old rats, rabbits and cats, the age peculiarities in acetylcholine (ACh) metabolism and realization of cholinergic influences upon the effectors were investigated. In aging, biosynthesis and hydrolysis of ACh decrease (choline-acetyltransferase and cholinesterase activities are decreased). In old age, the nervous cholinergic influences upon organs and tissues weaken.Alongside with this, the sensitivity of various organs andsystems to cholinomimetic and cholinolytic substances increases.