Dynamin 1 is a known synaptic
protein, which has is key in the presynaptic regulation of endocytosis. The present study investigated the association between age and the observed changes in Morris water maze performance, and immunoreactivity and
protein levels of dynamin 1 in the mouse hippocampal formation. In addition, the effects of
dynasore, an inhibitor of
dynamin 1, on the hippocampal dependent memory were determined to elucidate the correlation between
dynamin 1 and memory. In the training phase of the Morris water maze task, the mean escape latency of the aged group (24 months old) was significantly longer, compared with that of the adult group (4 months old), although the average swimming speed and the total distance traveled during the probe trial were similar in the two groups. In the aged group, the time spent locating the target platform was significantly longer and the time spent in the correct quadrant was significantly shorter, compared with those in the adult group. In the adult group, a moderate level of dynamin 1 was detected in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions, and in the dentate gyrus. In the aged group, the immunoreactivity of dynamin 1 was almost eliminated in the CA3 region and the dentate gyrus. In addition, the
protein levels of dynamin 1 in the brain were significantly lower in the aged group, compared with those in the adult group. The direct infusion of
dynasore, significantly reduced the contextual memory, compared with that of animals in the vehicle‑treated group. These results suggested that dynamin 1 was susceptible to the aging process, and that a reduction in dynamin 1 may result in hippocampal‑dependent
memory deficits by disrupting endocytosis and the release of
neurotransmitters.