How Aging Affects Brain Gene Expression in Humans, Monkeys, and Mice
Author Information
Author(s): Loerch Patrick M., Lu Tao, Dakin Kelly A., Vann James M., Isaacs Adrian, Geula Chengiz, Wang Jianbin, Pan Ying, Gabuzda Dana H., Li Cheng, Prolla Tomas A., Yankner Bruce A.
Primary Institution: Harvard Medical School
Hypothesis
How does brain aging differ across species, particularly in gene expression related to neurodegenerative disorders?
Conclusion
The study found that aging leads to significant downregulation of neuronal genes in humans and rhesus macaques, which is not observed in mice.
Supporting Evidence
- A small subset of gene expression changes are conserved in humans, rhesus macaques, and mice.
- Age-related downregulation of neuronal genes is significantly greater in humans than in mice.
- Genes associated with GABA-ergic function are downregulated in aging humans but not in mice.
- Neuronal loss was not observed in the aging human cortex despite gene downregulation.
- Age-related gene expression changes were linked to cognitive decline in humans.
Takeaway
As we get older, our brains change in how they express certain genes, especially those related to brain function, and this change is more pronounced in humans than in mice.
Methodology
The study compared gene expression in the brains of young and aged humans, rhesus macaques, and mice using genome-wide microarrays.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the selection of samples and the specific age ranges chosen for comparison.
Limitations
The study's findings may not fully represent all aspects of brain aging due to the limited number of age-related changes analyzed in rhesus macaques.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 13 young and 15 aged humans, 5 young and 5 aged mice, and 6 aged rhesus macaques.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.035
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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