Aging leads to altered microglial function that reduces brain resiliency increasing vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases.
Aging is the primary risk factor for many neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, understanding the basic biological changes that take place with aging that lead to the brain being less resilient to disease progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease or insults to the brain such as stroke or traumatic brain injuries. Clearly this will not cure the disease per se, yet increasing the ability of the brain to respond to injury could improve long term outcomes. The focus of this review is examining changes in microglia with age and possible therapeutic interventions involving the use of polyphenol rich dietary supplements.
Research Service, James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, 13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, United States; Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Dept. of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States. Electronic address: pbickfor@health.usf.edu.
Paula C
PC
Bickford
Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Dept. of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.
Antwoine
A
Flowers
Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Dept. of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.
Bethany
B
Grimmig
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055153:Stem Cell Niche
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D059808:Polyphenols
Microglia; Polyphenol