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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Assessing Collagen and Elastin Pressure-dependent Microarchitectures in Live, Human Resistance Arteries by Label-free Fluorescence Microscopy

Assessing Collagen and Elastin Pressure-dependent Microarchitectures in Live, Human Resistance Arteries by Label-free Fluorescence Microscopy

Published on: April 9, 2018

Effect of aging on elastin functionality in human cerebral arteries.

Edouard Fonck¹, Georg G Feigl, Jean Fasel

¹Laboratory of Hemodynamics and Cardiovascular Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland. edouard.fonck@a3.epfl.ch

|May 30, 2009

Summary

Aging causes elastin in cerebral arteries to lose function, resulting in stiffer, less compliant vessels. This structural change contributes to cerebrovascular disease risk.

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Assessing Collagen and Elastin Pressure-dependent Microarchitectures in Live, Human Resistance Arteries by Label-free Fluorescence Microscopy

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Published on: April 9, 2018

Mechanical Testing of Mouse Carotid Arteries: from Newborn to Adult

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Published on: February 23, 2012

Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues

Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues

Published on: June 3, 2019

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Vascular Biology
Gerontology

Background:

Elastin is crucial for arterial wall integrity and function.
Elastin degradation in cerebral vessels is linked to cerebrovascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess biomechanical properties, composition, and geometry of human cerebral arteries.
To investigate functional alterations of elastin due to aging.

Main Methods:

Compared 12 posterior cranial arteries from two age groups.
Utilized light, confocal, and scanning electron microscopy.
Performed biomechanical testing before and after enzymatic elastin degradation.

Main Results:

Aging alters intracranial artery morphology and mechanics, causing concentric hypertrophy.
Elastin structure shifts from circumferential to heterogeneous orientation with age.
Cerebral arteries stiffen with age; aged elastin shows reduced biomechanical response to degradation, indicating dysfunction.

Conclusions:

Elastin loses functionality in aging cerebral arteries, increasing stiffness and reducing compliance.
Despite constant elastin quantity, fragmentation and reorganization lead to dysfunction.
These age-related changes in cerebral arteries may contribute to cerebrovascular disease.