CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Nitric oxide has been postulated as a signaling molecule in different neuronal processes such as neural development, axonal regeneration and synaptic plasticity. Nitric oxide has also been shown to exert a modulatory action on mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. Normal brain aging is associated with a decline in neuronal activity, which leads to a progressive impairment in cognition and memory. Changes in nitric oxide synthase activity and expression and in mitochondrial function in association with the aging process, will be described. The participation of nitric oxide in mechanisms of neuronal plasticity has been extensively studied. Exposure to enriched environments leads to an increased nitric oxide synthase activity and expression, mediated by nNOS, thus contributing to the prevention of the age-dependent impairment of cognition. Considering that synaptic transmission requires a considerable energy demand, mitochondrial function seems to play a essential role in neuronal plasticity.