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

描述(申请人提供)：认知衰退和记忆问题是所谓的“正常”衰老的一个显著特征。然而，一些人会争辩说，这种记忆丧失是不正常的，应该被视为早期疾病状态。在成年人的一生中，学习新信息和存储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。其中一个途径是改变细胞的兴奋性。神经元兴奋性降低可能是导致无法接收和存储新信息的原因。AHP电流和慢的AHP电流先前被认为与学习和年龄相关的学习缺陷有关。另一种更快的钾电流被称为IC，或fAHP，已知是既依赖电压又依赖钙。由于之前的报告显示，AHP参与学习的程度会随着时间的推移而改变，因此预计与年轻人相比，年龄较大的受试者会有不同的IC电流，从而导致与年龄相关的学习缺陷。这项研究建议研究快速AHP电流IC及其与学习后躯体兴奋性的关系以及正常衰老引起的这一电流的变化。

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.