MOLECULAR MECHANISMS IN BRAIN AGING

Abstract

Objective: In this review, it is aimed to explain the molecular changes that occur with aging in the brain. The molecular mechanisms of brain aging are grouped under the headings of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, inflammation, disruption of lysosome and proteasome function, and impaired DNA repair and focused on these issues. Result and Discussion: Aging is a multifactorial process, possibly resulting from accumulation of damage in organisms and/or decline in maintenance and repair mechanisms. With aging, many structural changes such as degeneration of neurons, decrease in brain volume, decrease in brain cells and functional changes such as decreases in learning, memory, attention, and motor activity occur in the brain. These changes create a predisposition to diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's along with neurodegenerative disorders. As the brain ages, its abilities such as learning, decision making and memory decrease. To develop therapeutic or protective approaches against brain aging-related diseases and functional disorders, there is a need to elucidate the molecular-level mechanisms of brain aging.