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The effects of aging and oxidative stress on psychomotor and cognitive behavior

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Abstract

Decrements in motor and cognitive function occur in aging, possibly due to oxidative stress-induced damage to the brain. Declines in antioxidant defense mechanisms have been postulated as a causative factor in these age-related decrements, however a clear link between oxidative stress (OS) and behavioral changes in aging has yet to be established. This review shows that age-validated psychomotor and cognitive tests are sensitive to behavioral deficits under different models of OS, including: 1) decreasing OS protection by depleting glutathione and then increasing the OS with dopamine; 2) 100% oxygen exposure; and 3) radiation. Furthermore, interventions that reduce OS result in concurrent improvements in age-associated behavioral deficits. Therefore, age-related changes in behavior may result from an inability to cope with OS that occurs throughout the life-span.

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  1. USDA, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts Univ., 711 Washington St, Rm 919, Boston, MA, 02111

    Barbara Shukitt-Hale

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Shukitt-Hale, B. The effects of aging and oxidative stress on psychomotor and cognitive behavior. AGE 22, 9–17 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-999-0002-7

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