Researchers at the Allen Institute have identified a specific brain region in mice where aging triggers significant changes in numerous cell types. The study also pinpointed which cell types undergo the most profound transformations.

This new information, published in the journal Nature, points toward potential approaches for slowing or controlling the aging process in the brain.

The research was focused on numerous glial cell types – the brain’s “support cells” – that demonstrated considerable shifts in gene activity with age. Among the cells most affected were microglia, border-associated macrophages, oligodendrocytes, tanycytes, and ependymal cells.

Largest brain aging study points to possible connections between diet, inflammation, and brain health.

Scientists at the Allen Institute have discovered specific types of brain cells in mice that experience significant changes as they age. They also identified a distinct “hotspot” where many of these changes are concentrated. Published today (January 1) in Nature, these findings could lead to the development of therapies aimed at slowing or managing the brain’s aging process.

Scientists at the Allen Institute have identified specific cell types in the brain of mice that undergo major changes as they age, along with a specific hot spot where many of those changes occur. The discoveries, published in the journal Nature, could pave the way for future therapies to slow or manage the aging process in the brain.

The scientists discovered dozens of specific cell types, mostly glial cells, known as brain support cells, that underwent significant gene expression changes with age. Those strongly affected included microglia and border-associated macrophages, oligodendrocytes, tanycytes, and ependymal cells.

They found that in aging brains, genes associated with inflammation increased in activity while those related to neuronal structure and function decreased.