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Brain's Genome Rewired Midlife, Study Finds
16 Sep
Summary
- Brain genome regulation changes significantly starting midlife.
- Immune cells in the brain decline sharply between 50 and 75.
- Older brains may have weaker blood-brain barrier protection.
New research indicates that the aging process involves dynamic remodeling of the brain's genome, particularly starting in midlife. Scientists analyzed gene regulation and genome organization in brain cells from individuals of various ages. The study found a significant decline in microglia, crucial brain immune cells, between approximately 50 and 75 years old. These cells appear to be replaced by types more commonly found in blood, exhibiting stronger inflammatory signals, which may contribute to chronic inflammation in older brains.
Furthermore, the physical structure of the brain's genome showed signs of erosion. This, along with a reduction in cells that protect the blood-brain barrier, suggests that aging minds could be more vulnerable to harmful substances circulating in the blood. These findings, published in Science, highlight that aging is not merely a passive decline but an active process involving coordinated changes in immune, vascular, and neuronal systems.
