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Related Experiment Videos

Computer-assisted morphometry of synaptic plasticity during aging and dementia.

C Bertoni-Freddari1, P Fattoretti, W Meier-Ruge

  • 1Center for Surgical Research, Gerontological Research Department of the INRCA, Ancona, Italy.

Pathology, Research and Practice
|November 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Synaptic density decreases with aging and dementia, while synaptic area increases. This study reveals significant changes in brain structure related to cognitive decline.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Aging and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia are associated with structural changes in the central nervous system (CNS).
  • Synaptic integrity is crucial for cognitive function, and alterations in synaptic morphology may underlie age-related cognitive decline and dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively assess morphometric changes in synaptic membranes within specific brain regions (dentate gyrus supragranular layer and cerebellar glomerulus).
  • To compare synaptic structural parameters between adult, old, and demented individuals.

Main Methods:

  • A computer-assisted morphometric study utilizing an ASBA image analyzer on electron microscopic negatives.
  • Calculation of numerical density (Nv), surface density (Sv), and average area (S) of synaptic contact zones.

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  • Analysis performed on samples from adult, old, and demented human patients.

    • Main Results:

    • A significant decrease in numerical density (Nv) of synapses was observed in both investigated CNS areas during aging and more profoundly in senile dementia.
    • The average area (S) of synaptic contact zones significantly increased in old and demented individuals compared to adults.
    • Surface density (Sv) decreased in the hippocampus of old individuals and in both brain regions in senile dementia.

    Conclusions:

    • Aging and senile dementia lead to a reduction in synaptic numbers and an enlargement of individual synaptic contact areas.
    • These findings suggest a morphological remodeling of synaptic junctions in response to aging and disease processes.
    • The observed changes in synaptic morphology may contribute to the functional decline associated with aging and dementia.