Genome instability: Linking ageing and brain degeneration

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Genetics

Background:

• Ageing involves complex physiological changes influenced by genetics and stochastic processes, impacting metabolic homeostasis.
• Genome stability maintenance is a key genetic factor determining the pace of ageing.
• Genome instability is linked to various brain degeneration conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the similarities and differences between ageing-related brain decline and the effects of genome instability on brain function.
• To highlight the potential underestimation of glial and microglial roles in these processes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of ageing, genome stability, and brain function.
• Comparative analysis of ageing-associated brain decline and genome instability effects.
• Focus on glial and microglial cell functions.

Main Results:

• Genome instability shares similarities and differences with age-related brain functional decline.
• Glia and microglia may play significant, potentially underestimated, roles in brain ageing and instability.

Conclusions:

• Understanding genome stability's role in ageing is crucial for brain health.
• Further research into glia and microglia functions is warranted to elucidate their impact on neurodegeneration and ageing.