Navakkode Sheeja, Kennedy Brian K
Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Centre for Healthy Longevity, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Life Sciences Institute Neurobiology Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
Front Aging Neurosci. 2024 Aug 5;16:1428244. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1428244. eCollection 2024.
Ageing is characterized by a gradual decline in the efficiency of physiological functions and increased vulnerability to diseases. Ageing affects the entire body, including physical, mental, and social well-being, but its impact on the brain and cognition can have a particularly significant effect on an individual's overall quality of life. Therefore, enhancing lifespan and physical health in longevity studies will be incomplete if cognitive ageing is over looked. Promoting successful cognitive ageing encompasses the objectives of mitigating cognitive decline, as well as simultaneously enhancing brain function and cognitive reserve. Studies in both humans and animal models indicate that cognitive decline related to normal ageing and age-associated brain disorders are more likely linked to changes in synaptic connections that form the basis of learning and memory. This activity-dependent synaptic plasticity reorganises the structure and function of neurons not only to adapt to new environments, but also to remain robust and stable over time. Therefore, understanding the neural mechanisms that are responsible for age-related cognitive decline becomes increasingly important. In this review, we explore the multifaceted aspects of healthy brain ageing with emphasis on synaptic plasticity, its adaptive mechanisms and the various factors affecting the decline in cognitive functions during ageing. We will also explore the dynamic brain and neuroplasticity, and the role of lifestyle in shaping neuronal plasticity.
衰老的特征是生理功能效率逐渐下降，以及对疾病的易感性增加。衰老影响整个身体，包括身体、心理和社会幸福感，但其对大脑和认知的影响可能对个体的整体生活质量产生特别重大的影响。因此，如果忽视认知衰老，长寿研究中延长寿命和增进身体健康的目标将是不完整的。促进成功的认知衰老包括减轻认知衰退的目标，以及同时增强大脑功能和认知储备。对人类和动物模型的研究表明，与正常衰老和年龄相关的脑部疾病相关的认知衰退更可能与构成学习和记忆基础的突触连接变化有关。这种依赖活动的突触可塑性不仅会重新组织神经元的结构和功能以适应新环境，而且会随着时间的推移保持强大和稳定。因此，了解导致与年龄相关的认知衰退的神经机制变得越来越重要。在这篇综述中，我们探讨健康大脑衰老的多方面内容，重点是突触可塑性、其适应机制以及影响衰老过程中认知功能衰退的各种因素。我们还将探讨动态大脑和神经可塑性，以及生活方式在塑造神经元可塑性中的作用。
