The BK current, Ic, and Fast AHP in learning & aging

描述（由申请人提供）：认知能力下降和记忆问题是所谓的“正常”衰老的一个突出特征。然而，有些人会认为这种记忆丧失是不正常的，应该作为早期疾病状态来解决。在成年人的一生中，学习新信息和储存永久记忆的过程变得越来越困难，而且往往完全失败。储存信息通过许多机制改变神经元的功能。这些途径之一是改变细胞的兴奋性。神经元兴奋性的降低可能是无法接收和存储新信息的原因。AHP和慢AHP电流以前被牵连在学习和年龄相关的学习缺陷。另一种称为Ic或fAHP的更快的钾电流已知是电压和钙依赖性的。由于以前的报告表明，参与的AHP在学习是随着时间的推移而改变，预计老年人将有一个改变的IC电流相比，年轻的成年人，有助于与年龄相关的学习缺陷。本研究拟探讨快速AHP电流，Ic，和它的关系，学习后的躯体兴奋性和正常老化引起的电流的改变。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cognitive decline and memory problems are a prominent feature of so-called "normal" aging. However, some would argue that this memory loss is not normal, and should be addressed as an early disease state. Across the adult life span, the process of learning new information and storing permanent memories becomes more and more difficult, and often fails entirely. Storing information alters the functionality of neurons through many mechanisms. One of these pathways is altering the excitability of the cell. Reduced neuronal excitability could be responsible for an inability to receive and store new information. The AHP and slow AHP currents have previously been implicated in learning and age-related learning deficits. Another faster potassium current named Ic, or fAHP is known to be both voltage and calcium dependent. Because previous reports have shown that the involvement of the AHP in learning is altered over time, it is expected that older subjects will have an altered Ic current when compared to younger adults, contributing to age-related learning deficits. This study proposes to examine the fast AHP current, Ic, and its relationship to somatic excitability after learning and alterations in this current caused by normal aging.