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Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Use of Synaptic Zinc Histochemistry to Reveal Different Regions and Laminae in the Developing and Adult Brain
Published on: October 29, 2017
Zinc in Cognitive Impairment and Aging
Ruize Sun1, Jue Wang1, Juan Feng1
1Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao St., Shenyang 110004, China.
Abstract:
Zinc, an essential micronutrient for life, was first discovered in 1869 and later found to be indispensable for the normal development of plants and for the normal growth of rats and birds. Zinc plays an important role in many physiological and pathological processes in normal mammalian brain development, especially in the development of the central nervous system. Zinc deficiency can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, mental abnormalities, sleep disorders, tumors, vascular diseases, and other pathological conditions, which can cause cognitive impairment and premature aging. This study aimed to review the important effects of zinc and zinc-associated proteins in cognitive impairment and aging, to reveal its molecular mechanism, and to highlight potential interventions for zinc-associated aging and cognitive impairments.
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