Homeostatic and injury‐induced microglia behavior in the aging brain

• DOI: 10.1111/acel.12149
• Publication Date: 2013-08-16T17:25:02Z
• Authors: Jasmin K. Hefendehl; Jonas J. Neher; Rafael B. Sühs; Shinichi Kohsaka; Angelos Skodras; Mathias Jucker
• Keywords: Neocortex; Cognitive Decline

Summary Microglia cells are essential for brain homeostasis and have roles in neurodegenerative diseases. Aging is the main risk factor most diseases, age‐related changes microglia may contribute to susceptibility of aging dysfunction neurodegeneration. We analyzed morphology dynamic behavior neocortical their physiological environment young adult (3‐month‐old), (11‐ 12‐month‐old), aged (26‐ 27‐month‐old) C57BL/6J‐Iba1‐ eGFP mice using vivo 2‐photon microscopy. Results show that surveying microglial neocortex exhibit soma volume increase, shortening processes, loss homogeneous tissue distribution. Furthermore, process speed significantly decreased with age. While only a small population showed movement mice, was increased mice. However, response injury, age‐dependently diminished. These results provide novel insights into indicate cognitive decline