Reviewing What is Known of the Aging of Neural Stem Cells

Neural stem cells produce the new neurons necessary for memory function and maintenance of brain tissue throughout adult life. This process of neurogenesis declines with age, however. Neural stem cell activity is reduced with age, in much the same way as all stem cell populations (and their niche structures) appear to become damaged and impaired as a result of the mechanisms of aging. Do we know enough about the way in which neural stem cells age in order to attempt prevention? As researchers point out here, some strategies may make the situation worse by exhausting rather than renewing stem cell pools. A few inroads are being made, however. Extensive research in recent years has significantly advanced our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying neural stem cell (NSC) aging and age-related decline in neurogenesis, although much remains obscure. Central to this decline is an escalating impairment of the NSC pool, characterized by increased quiescence, altered lineage specification, and progressive depletion of NSCs. The mechanisms underlying NSC aging in the dentate gyrus (DG) are complex and multifactorial. Over the course of their life, NSCs accumulate several defects, including a failure to maintain a healthy proteome, metabolic alterations, DNA damage, and epigenetic drift. It is now recognized that, in addition to intrinsic mechanisms, extrinsic changes in the NSC niche and systemic environment are the primary contributors to NSC aging, and that these mechanisms a...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs