Decrements in motor and cognitive function occur in aging, possibly due to
oxidative stress-induced damage to the brain. Declines in antioxidant defen
se mechanisms have been postulated as a causative factor in these age-relat
ed decrements, however a clear link between oxidative stress (OS) and behav
ioral changes in aging has yet to be established. This review shows that ag
e-validated psychomotor and cognitive tests are sensitive to behavioral def
icits under different models of OS, including: 1) decreasing OS protection
by depleting glutathione and then increasing the OS with dopamine; 2) 100%
oxygen exposure; and 3) radiation. Furthermore, interventions that reduce O
S result in concurrent improvements in age-associated behavioral deficits.
Therefore, age-related changes in behavior may result from an inability to
cope with OS that occurs throughout the life-span.