The space where aging acts: focus on the GABAergic synapse.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Aging Research
• Synaptic Plasticity

Background:

• Aging research has shifted from neuronal loss to synaptic and subpopulation-specific changes.
• Inhibitory neurons, particularly GABAergic neurons, are crucial for neural circuit control and plasticity.
• Understanding aging effects on specific neuronal types like GABAergic neurons is key to explaining heterogeneous aging outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the effects of aging on GABAergic neurons and synapses.
• To analyze aging-related alterations in presynaptic and postsynaptic components of GABAergic synapses.
• To discuss the impact of these changes on GABAergic system plasticity and brain health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on aging effects on GABAergic neurons and synapses.
• Analysis of presynaptic and postsynaptic alterations.
• Examination of impacts on synaptic plasticity and brain disorders, including specific mouse somatosensory cortex data.

Main Results:

• Aging affects the number and function of GABAergic neurons and synapses.
• Presynaptic and postsynaptic components of GABAergic synapses undergo age-related alterations.
• These changes contribute to impaired plasticity and an inhibitory/excitatory imbalance in the aging brain.

Conclusions:

• Aging-induced GABAergic system impairments lead to an inhibitory/excitatory imbalance.
• This imbalance reduces the brain's ability to adapt, increasing vulnerability to cognitive decline.
• Impaired GABAergic plasticity exacerbates susceptibility to synaptopathic diseases and brain disorders.