3.1 INTRODUCTION
Age-related changes in the CNS or PNS
may result in decreased or increased activity of neural tissue with corresponding
signs of altered neurological or neuroendocrine function. A skilled clinician can
determine the site of the changes from the neurological signs exhibited by an animal.
Reduced protein synthesis within cells is one of the main causes of age-related declines
in tissue function and some authors believe that modification of neuroendocrine function offers
the best prospect for delaying and reversing ageing changes (Meites 1993).
Modification of neuroendocrine function is probably one of the mechanisms by which
calorie-restricted diets slow down ageing changes in body tissues, inhibit the development
of disease and neoplasia, and significantly prolong the lifespan of rats and mice. Calorie-restricted
diets decrease hormone secretion (in particular growth hormone and insulin-like growth
factor 1) and also alter hormone receptor sensitivity, reduce whole-body metabolism
(though basal metabolic rate per unit lean body mass remains the same) and lower
gene expression.
As further support of this hypothesis the administration of hormones thymic peptides
and some drugs can improve declining immune function thus improving resistance to
infections, neoplasia and autoimmune disorders
In old dogs the administration of clonidine (an a 2-adrenergic agonist) increases
the pulsatile secretion of growth hormone returning it to a young dog type of pattern.
Furthermore administration of clonidine with growth hormone releasing hormone for
10 days significanily increases both the peak concentration and total amount of growth
hormone released. A rapid radio-immunoassay for growth hormone in the dog has been
described (Cocola et al. 1976).
Maladaptive responses of the neuroendocrine system to stressful stimuli (particularly
in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical system) are thought to accelerate the
ageing process and reduce longevity. One study in rats suggests that longevity is
inversely related to hyperactivity to stress and that this is genotype dependent.
Basal cortisol levels have been reported to be increased in dogs and to be related
to cognitive dysfunction associated with ageing.
During ageing, humans, rats and dogs have been shown to have hypercortisolaemia and
diffuse Alzheimer's-like brain lesions (extracellular A4-amyloid deposits and intracellular
fibrillar structures (TAU-protein) called neurofibrillary tangles) and neuronal decay
have been reported to occur in dog brains (Cummings et al. 1993;
Morys 1994). Recently a direct correlation has been demonstrated between behaviour
changes as determined by cognitive tests and the severity of these pathological changes
in beagles and these workers have suggested that cushingoid dogs might be a useful
model for the study of Alzheimer's disease in humans (Ruehl, W.W. 1995, personal
communication).
Free radical damage may play a part in the age-related changes in catecholamine neurones
in the hypothalamus and in the neurotransmission of catecholamines, acetylcholine and
peptide co-transmitters. Changes in receptor-site numbers or sensitivity may decrease
secretion from cells which are otherwise still capable of manufacturing hormones.