Neurobiological aging and neuroprotection: Mechanisms, challenges and emerging therapeutic strategies

Abstract

With continuous increase in human life expectancy, the number of old people has been growing throughout the world. Old age is a major risk factor for various neurodegenerative diseases that cause cognitive impairment. Cognitive decline is not only linked to the pathological brain aging, but it can also occur in aged people who are otherwise healthy. This can result from the age-related changes in the brain. Such changes lead to the loss of key brain functions and cause a variety of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders including dementia and Alzheimer's disease, which can deteriorate the quality of life. Hence, a clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying age-related brain alterations and diseases will improve not only the quality of elderly life but also reduce the load on their families in terms of care giving and socioeconomic responsibilities. In this context, researchers have been endeavoring to comprehend the neurological changes causing cognitive impairment and explore the possibility to ameliorate it. However, this is challenging and complicated due to multiple biological dimensions spanning from genes to brain networks, behavior and individual variability. Recent advances in neuroscience research suggest a key role of lifestyle changes, herbal preparations and epigenetic modulators in the recovery of age-related cognitive decline. Also, factors like healthy diet, exercise and social interactions help in prevention of cognitive deterioration. This review briefly focuses on the changes that occur in the brain with advancing age, neural basis of cognitive impairment, and protective as well as preventive interventions.

Keywords:- Brain Aging, Cognition, Epigenetics, Neuroprotection