Behavioral and neurochemical studies on brain aging in galanin overexpressing mice.

To study possible involvement of galanin in brain aging quality, we have investigated behavioral, neurochemical and morphological parameters in aged mice overexpressing galanin under the platelet-derived growth factor B promoter (GalOE mice) compared to wild-type littermates (WT mice). The behavioral analysis in the forced swim test showed that old GalOE animals spent more time in immobility compared to WT. In the activity cage test, galanin overexpression counteracted the age-induced decrease in exploratory behavior. The neurochemical analysis showed a 30% decrease in noradrenaline overflow in the cerebral cortex of WT old mice that was not present in age-matched GalOE mice. Our results indicate that overexpression of galanin can influence several behavioral and neurochemical parameters in old mice.