# PLASTICITY IN THE AGING OLFACTORY SYSTEM

> **NIH NIH R01** · WINIFRED MASTERSON BURKE MED RES INST · 1991 · $167,695

## Abstract

Functional alterations are now known to occur in the olfactory system
during normal aging and in association with diseases of aging.  Ibis
proposal will examine the hypothesis that neuroplasticity of gene
expression is compromised in the aging mammalian olfactory system.  The
studies will focus on the neuroregenerative capacity of the olfactory
epithelium as well as the trophic relationships which exist between the
receptor epithelium and olfactory bulb.  In the olfactory bulbs of young
animals, we have demonstrated that expression of the catecholamine
biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), but not other
neurotransmitter biosynthetic enzymes such as aromatic L-amino acid
decarboxylase (AADC) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), is under
peripheral afferent transneuronal regulation.  The proposed experiments
use molecular biological techniques to investigate
neurotransmitter-specific gene expression in the aging rodent and human
olfactory systems. 1) Age-associated changes win be determined in the
expression of the neurotransmitter enzyme genes, TH, AADC and GAD, in the
olfactory bulbs of both mice and rats.  Olfactory marker protein (OMP), a
protein expressed in mature olfactory receptor cells and their processes,
will be assessed to indicate the integrity of olfactory afferent
innervation; 2) Plasticity of enzyme gene expression will be assessed
following deafferentation and/or odor deprivation, especially following
reversible lesions, in young, middle aged and old animals.  OMP
expression will monitor the regenerative capacity of the olfactory
epithelium; 3) Age-related alterations will be investigated in the
transport of ligands such as lectins from the olfactory epithelium to the
brain.  The neurotoxic effects of the ligands also will be determined; 4)
The distribution of neurotransmitter biosynthetic enzymes and their mRNAs
will be examined in human olfactory bulb from normal subjects spanning
the age spectrum and individuals with age-related disorders such as
Alzheimer's disease.  The proposed studies may indicate if the functional
deficits are associated with age-related changes in the regenerative
capacity of the olfactory epithelium and/or the ability of the olfactory
bulb to respond to perturbation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3121602
- **Project number:** 1R01AG009686-01
- **Recipient organization:** WINIFRED MASTERSON BURKE MED RES INST
- **SAM.gov UEI:** G192A9HR62S5
- **Principal Investigator:** Harriet D. Baker
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $167,695
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1991-02-01 → 1996-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3121602

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3121602, PLASTICITY IN THE AGING OLFACTORY SYSTEM (1R01AG009686-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3121602. Licensed CC0.

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