Cognitive Aging Mechanisms in Neural Systems
Summary
Cognitive ageing arises from a convergence of molecular, cellular and network-level alterations that collectively impair information processing and memory. Declines in synaptic plasticity, shifts in excitatory–inhibitory balance and dysregulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis undermine the capacity for long-term potentiation and adaptive rewiring. Concurrently, transcriptomic remodelling and epigenetic drift alter gene expression programmes governing neuronal maintenance, while low-grade neuroinflammation disrupts synaptic integrity. Vascular changes and diminished neuromodulator release further exacerbate network synchrony deficits. Together, these mechanisms underpin age-associated reductions in processing speed, learning flexibility and memory retention, and offer targets for interventions ranging from lifestyle modification to pharmacological rescue of neurotransmitter dynamics and gene regulatory networks.
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Cognitive Aging Mechanisms in Neural Systems publication trend
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Technical terms
mRNA splicing: The process by which non-coding introns are removed and exons joined to produce mature messenger RNA transcripts.
Synaptic plasticity: The ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to activity, essential for learning and memory.
Dendritic spine: Small protrusions on neuronal dendrites that form postsynaptic contacts and undergo morphological changes during plasticity.
Long-term potentiation (LTP): A durable increase in synaptic strength following high-frequency stimulation, serving as a cellular model for memory formation.
Transcriptome: The complete set of RNA transcripts produced in a cell or tissue at a given time, reflecting gene expression programmes.
Excitatory–inhibitory balance: The equilibrium between neuronal excitation and inhibition that ensures stable network function and information processing.
References
- Comprehensive transcriptome analysis reveals altered mRNA splicing and post-transcriptional changes in the aged mouse brain. Nucleic Acids Research (2024).
- Restoration of norepinephrine release, cognitive performance, and dendritic spines by amphetamine in aged rat brain. Aging Cell (2024).
- Neuronal Plasticity and Age-Related Functional Decline in the Motor Cortex. Cells (2023).
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