Age-related changes in the distribution of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 channel subunits in the rat cerebellum

We have revealed age-related changes in the expression patterns of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 in the rat cerebellum for the first time. In the aged rat, immunoreactivity for Kv1.1 was increased in the cell bodies of Purkinje cells, while the staining intensity was significantly decreased in the granule cells. The cell bodies of cerebellar output neurons showed strong Kv1.1 immunoreactivity in the nucleus medialis, interpositus and lateralis of the aged rat. Kv1.2 immunoreactivity was found in some interneurons with their processes in this region of the aged rat. Image analysis demonstrated that immunoreactivities for Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 were increased specifically in the cell bodies of cerebellar output neurons of the aged rat. This study may provide useful data for future investigations on the channels that cause brain diseases and age-related disorders. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.