The effects of chronic treatment with N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone on cerebellar noradrenergic receptor function in aged F344 rats.

We examined if a 2 week treatment with the spin trapping agent N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) would alleviate age-related deficits in cerebellar noradrenergic function of male 21-22 month old F344 rats compared to age-matched controls. Noradrenergic receptor function of PBN-treated rats was similar to young rats whereas for non-treated rats it was typical of that previously recorded in aged rats. Thus, treatment with PBN may reverse age-related deficits in cerebellar noradrenergic receptor function.