Astrocyte dystrophy in ageing brain parallels impaired synaptic plasticity.

ABSTRACT: Little is known about age-dependent changes in structure and function of astrocytes and of the impact of these on the cognitive decline in the senescent brain. The prevalent view on the age-dependent increase in reactive astrogliosis and astrocytic hypertrophy requires scrutiny and detailed analysis. Using two-photon microscopy in conjunction with 3D reconstruction, Sholl and volume fraction analysis, we demonstrate a significant reduction in the number and the length of astrocytic processes, in astrocytic territorial domains and in astrocyte-to-astrocyte coupling in the aged brain. Probing physiology of astrocytes with patch clamp, and Ca²⁺ imaging revealed deficits in K⁺ and glutamate clearance and spatiotemporal reorganisation of Ca²⁺ events in old astro

SUBMITTER: Popov A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7963330 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature