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Ischemia in aged brain.
1Department of Pathochemistry and General Neurochemistry, University of Heidelberg, FRG.
Gerontology
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Brain ischemia significantly alters glucose and energy metabolism, with effects worsening with age. Repeated insults particularly damage energy production, indicating reduced brain plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Metabolic studies
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cerebral ischemia and repetitive ischemic insults impact brain function.
- Brain metabolism is sensitive to oxygen deprivation and energy demands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of single and repetitive cerebral ischemia on brain cortical glucose and energy metabolism.
- To assess the influence of age on the brain's metabolic response to ischemic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Induction of 15-minute complete cerebral ischemia in a model.
- Administration of repetitive 15-minute ischemic insults.
- Analysis of brain cortical glucose and energy metabolism, including glycolytic flux and lactate production.
Main Results:
- Both single and repetitive ischemia altered brain cortical glucose and energy metabolism qualitatively.
- Metabolic abnormalities, including impaired glycolysis, increased lactate, and reduced oxidation, were quantitatively more severe with advancing age.
- Repeated ischemic insults showed a pronounced negative impact on energy metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Brain's biological plasticity to cope with ischemic emergencies decreases with age.
- Repetitive ischemic insults pose a significant risk of damaging brain energy metabolism.
- Age exacerbates the detrimental effects of cerebral ischemia on brain metabolism.