The heterogeneity and multigenetic nature of nervous system aging make modeling of it a formidable task in mammalian species. The powerful genetics, simple anatomy and short life span of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offer unique advantages in unraveling the molecular genetic network that regulates the integrity of neuronal structures and functions during aging. In this review, we first s...

As the population of people in the United States over the age of 65 years continues to increase, so too will the incidence of age-related pathologies, including decreases in cognitive and motor function. In cases of severe deficits in memory or motor function, hospitalization and/or custodial care would be a likely outcome. This means that unless some way is found to reduce these age-related de...

Aging can be defined as a decline of physiological function that is more difficult to reverse, characterized by the loss integrity tissues, organs, and cells an organism over time. Normal aging associated with structural functional changes in brain, involving neuronal apoptosis, synaptic structure, neurotransmission, metabolism alterations, leading impairment sleep, cognitive functions, memory,...

Although many genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of common neurodegenerative diseases, the genetic and cellular mechanisms that maintain neuronal integrity during normal aging remain elusive. Here we show that Caenorhabditis elegans touch receptor and cholinergic neurons display age-dependent morphological defects, including cytoskeletal disorganization, axon beading, and defascicul...

Citation: Bouzier-Sore A-K and Bolaños JP (2015) Uncertainties in pentose-phosphate pathway flux assessment underestimate its contribution to neuronal glucose consumption: relevance for neurodegeneration and aging. Front. Aging Neurosci. 7:89. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00089 Uncertainties in pentose-phosphate pathway flux assessment underestimate its contribution to neuronal glucose consumption: ...

Aging is characterized by loss of homeostasis across multiple tissues. The nervous system governs whole-body homeostasis by communicating external and internal signals to peripheral tissues. Here, we highlight neuronal mechanisms and downstream outputs that regulate aging and longevity. Targeting these neuronal pathways may be a novel strategy to promote healthy aging. To view this SnapShot, op...

Aging is an inevitable physiological process that leads to the dysfunction of various tissues, and these changes may contribute to certain diseases, and ultimately death. Recent research has discovered biological pathways that promote aging. This review focuses on Wnt signaling, Wnt is a highly conserved secreted signaling molecule that plays an essential role in the development and function of...

Although current research on brain aging is dominated by Alzheimer's disease (AD), many other brain changes arise during middle age in humans and in rodent models that are independent of AD-like neurodegeneration. Differences and continuities between normal and pathological aspects of neuronal aging reveal the relative contributions and interactions of genetic and environmental factors. Apolipo...