Stanford Medical Center (USA) scientists have found that the function of network neurons, which are responsible for the establishment of the environmental map, deteriorate with age. This can explain the fall of spatial orientation in the elderly. The results were published in Nature Communications (Natcom).
Scientists have compared the function of three groups of mice, young mice (about 20 years old age), middle-aged mice (50-60 years old) and older mice (75-90 years old). They studied the activity of the inter-enlamental skin, which is the area of the brain where network neurons are located. These cells are activated in space at certain points and make up a type of GPS system for the brain.
It turned out that the network neurons became less stable with age. During the elderly mice, while changing routes in the virtual environment, neuron signals become chaotic, as well as rodents' behavior. However, young and adult animals quickly understood the place of reward in space and showed clear patterns of brain activity. Not all older mice showed the same decline. One of the elderly males performed as good as young mice. Scientists have found that the rodent network neurons operate with high accuracy, confirming the connection between these cells and the spatial orientation.
The genetic analysis revealed 61 genes, the level of activity of which differed to the mice of network neuron function disorder. One of these genes, HAPLN4, can maintain the stability of these cells by forming a protective protein network.
The authors emphasize that the age decline in spatial memory is not inevitable. Individual brain function and genetic differences can affect the aging of the brain.
Translation of: Euromedia24.com
