Rat models of cognitive aging

Naturally occurring rat models of cognitive aging are useful tools to investigate the underlying neurobiological changes that contribute to memory loss in later life. Fischer 344 and F344 × Brown Norway F1 rats are two strains available from the National Institutes of Health for use in aging research. Both strains of rat exhibit age-related impairment of spatial learning using the classic Morris water maze and newer behavioral tasks have identified concurrent changes in perceptual discrimination abilities that rely on contributions from interconnected cortical regions in the medial temporal lobe. The prefrontal cortex is also susceptible to decline with normal age. Aging rats are impaired across a series of operant tasks that specifically evaluate prefrontal-dependent working memory, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making. Behaviorally characterized aging rat models provide direct insight into the neurobiological underpinnings of discrete forms of cognitive change with age that can direct the design of new therapies to protect or rescue cognition in later life.