Enhanced glial activation and expression of specific CNS inflammation-related molecules in aged versus young rats following cortical stab injury

Aging is associated with increased glial responsiveness that may enhance th e brain's susceptibility to injury arid disease. To determine whether uniqu e age-related molecular responses occur in brain injury, we assessed m-RNA levels of representative central nervous system (CNS) inflammation-related molecules in young (3 months) and aged (36 months) Fisher 344/Brown Norwegi an F1 hybrid rats following cortical stab. Enhanced glial activation in old er animals was accompanied by increased expression of a subset of inflammat ion-related mRNAs, including IL-1 beta, TNF alpha, IL-6, ICAM-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), metalloprotednase-9 (NEAP-9), and complement 3 alpha -chain 1 (C3 alpha1). Recognition of these age-specific differences may guide development of novel treatment regimes for older individuals. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science BY. All rights reserved.