The free radical theory of aging predicts that reactive oxygen species are
involved in the decline in function associated with aging. The present pape
r reports that diets supplemented with either spinach, strawberries or blue
berries, nutritional sources of antioxidants, reverse age-induced declines
in beta-adrenergic receptor function in cerebellar Purkinje neurons measure
d using: electrophysiological techniques. In addition the spinach diet impr
oved learning on a runway motor task, previously shown to be modulated by c
erebellar norepinephrine. Motor learning is important for adaptation to cha
nges in the environment and is thus critical for rehabilitation following s
troke, spinal cord injury, and the onset of some neurodegenerative diseases
. These data are the first to indicate that age-related deficits in motor l
earning and memory can be reversed with nutritional interventions. (C) 2000
Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.