Environmental and Physiological Cues on the Hypothalamus During Aging

Abstract

The hypothalamus is a specialized tissue in the brain responsible for the central regulation of hormone production in the body linking the nervous system with the endocrine system. The hypothalamus regulates development, growth, and metabolism, and is considered to have a key role in the progression of whole-body aging. Multiple environmental and physiological signals can adversely affect hypothalamic function leading to cellular senescence. The timing and duration of these signals, the heterogeneity of the hypothalamic neurons involved and the individual genetic background, together, determine the optimal functional health span of the hypothalamus. Epigenetic effects on hypothalamus regions in early life may already influence health outcomes later in life. The consequences of detrimental changes anytime during lifetime could have a tremendous impact on health and metabolic function and ultimately lifespan. A summary of the possible molecular causes of aging of the hypothalamus as well as the impact that age-related disorders have on the functional regulation of hypothalamic neurons is discussed. A great number of physiological and environmental cues, with relevance to aging, influence hypothalamus function.