Objectives: 

Previous studies have demonstrated differences in neurotransmitter concentration between prematurely aging mice (PAM) and non-prematurely aging mice (NPAM). This model of premature aging is based on an impaired exploratory capacity in a T-maze test. PAM show an inmunosenescence and a shorter life span. The aim of the present work was to study the anatomical differences in the brain related to the motor system as well as the correlation between these differences in several structures. Moreover, to analize a health status parameter in those mice, the alkaline and acid phosphatases activities in plasma were determined.

Materials: 

Adult female ICR/CD1 PAM (n=7) and NPAM (n=7) were used. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was performed to evaluate brain volume and different brain structures (frontal cortex, motor cortex, substancia nigra, cerebellum, lateral ventriculum, third ventriculo and corpus callosum). Then, alkaline and acid phosphatases activities were analized in plasma by spectrophotometry.

Results: 

PAM show a larger brain volume than NPAM. Furthermore, the Pearson test shows a correlation between the frontal cortex and the substancia nigra (r=0,788; p-value<0,05). There is also a correlation between the lateral ventriculum and the third ventriculo (r=0,976; p-value<0,01). In addition, alkaline and acid phosphatases activities were similar in PAM and NPAM. This data were analyzed with SPSS program.

Conclusions: 

PAM display differences in the anatomical structures of the brain related to the motor system, in comparison to NPAM, which could be related to the higher anxiety levels shown by PAM.