Project Number: 1950-51000-063-08
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Nov 20, 2003
End Date: Jun 30, 2007

Objective:
Aim 1 Behavior: Determine the effects of a blueberry (BB) or strawberry (SB) whole fruit extracts, and other interventions on motor and cognitive behaviors found to show declines as a function of age in the irradiated rats of different ages. Aim 2 Signaling: Determine the effects of the interventions on MAP kinase signaling. Aim 3 Neurogenesis: Determine the effects of the interventions in the various groups on neurogenesis (the production and survival of new neurons).

Approach:
The effects of the interventions will be assessed using the radial arm water maze and various motor tasks (e.g., rotorod). The behavioral data will then be correlated with parameters that will be as described below. The effects of the various diets on behavior-mediated signaling will be assessed through evaluation of several signaling molecules [e.g., protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK/ ERKs), protein kinase A (PKA RII), CREB] known to be associated with memory. The possible effects of the diets, aging, and radiation on neurogenesis will be examined using immunocytochemistry and unbiased stereology for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, in the brains obtained from rats fed diets supplemented with the various diets. Confirmation of neurogenesis will be carried out by using GFAP and NeuN analyses.