GFAP RNA increases during a wasting state in old mice.

A prolonged wasting condition is often associated with morbidity in older humans. The effects that such a state has on the quality/quantity of RNA are not known. In initial attempts to develop an animal model for premortem wasting, we examined whole brain RNA from mice slowly approaching death from natural causes. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) RNA showed a three-fold increase as detected by RNA gel-blot hybridization analysis. Five other RNA sequences were stable under these circumstances. We conclude that brain RNA changes are selective during a degenerating premortem state. Moreover, RNA sequence changes in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease should be considered in the context of the wasting condition of the individual and may not be due to a direct effect of the disease process.