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Neuroendocrine aspects of cerebral aging
B S McEwen1, R L Spencer, S Chapman
1Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Rockefeller University, New York.
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research
|January 1, 1990
Summary
This study reviews how glucocorticoids affect brain aging and neuronal loss. Acetyl-L-carnitine may offer protective benefits against age-related neural degeneration in rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Cerebral Aging
- Neuroprotection
Background:
- Glucocorticoids play a role in neuronal loss during brain aging.
- Age-related neural degeneration involves multiple synergistic factors.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for developing interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the neuroendocrine aspects of cerebral aging.
- To examine the role of glucocorticoids in neuronal loss.
- To evaluate potential protective effects of acetyl-L-carnitine.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on glucocorticoids and brain aging.
- Discussion of treatment strategies targeting aging's destructive aspects.
- Experimental assessment of acetyl-L-carnitine in a rat model.
Main Results:
- Glucocorticoids have both beneficial and destructive effects on aging neural tissue.
- Age-related neural degeneration results from a complex interplay of factors.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine demonstrated potential protective effects in rats.
Conclusions:
- Neural tissue degeneration is a multifactorial process.
- Circulating glucocorticoids are implicated in age-related neural destruction.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine may serve as a therapeutic agent for mitigating neural aging effects.