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Age-related decline in brain health is associated with poor blood flow and limitations in energy supply, although the vascular mechanisms are poorly understood. We report an age-related decrease in responsivity of brain microvessels, accompanied by a decrease in vessel density and loss of vascular mural cell processes.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is central in biological aging, but experimentally controlling mitochondria in vivo to test causality has been difficult. Optogenetically preserving mitochondrial function with age addressed this difficulty and increased lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as an important pathological trigger for the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the molecular mechanism remains largely unclear. We identify activation of the neuroimmune cGAS–STING signaling pathway as a critical molecular link, predominantly in microglia, that contributes to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis.
Brain functions and connectivity patterns related to maladaptive emotion regulation are poorly understood. We find that, in older adults subjected to high emotional events, functional connectivity between the default mode network and the amygdala is associated with higher anxiety, rumination and negative thoughts.
