Neuronal ageing in long-term cultures: Alterations of Ca2+ homeostasis

Deficiencies of Ca2+ homeostasis are proposed to play an important role in neuronal ageing and/or neurodegeneration. The aim of this study was to inve stigate, in a defined neuronal population, primary cerebellar granule neuro n culture, the time-dependent changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and compare them with data obtained in cerebellar brain slices from aged rats. In neurons ag ed in culture (DIV 23), a small decrease in the resting [Ca2+](i) was assoc iated with a decrease in the maxima[ rate of [Ca2+](i) increase upon KCI-in duced depolarization and in the amplitude of the [Ca2+](i) response, when c ompared with mature neurons (DIV 9). The most significant change of [Ca2+]( i) signal parameters was a 50% decrease in the rate of [Ca2+](i) recovery a fter the stimulation. These results were similar to those obtained in aged brain slices, and indicate that primary neuronal cultures could serve as a model for studying the age-related changes in Ca2+ homeostasis. NeuroReport 11:3725-3729 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.