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Reduced brain glutathione levels during normal aging are associated with visuospatial memory
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|August 30, 2023
Summary
Brain glutathione (GSH) levels decrease with age, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex. These changes impact memory and differ between sexes, offering insights into aging and oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
Background:
- Oxidative stress (OS) increases with brain aging, contributing to cognitive decline.
- Glutathione (GSH), a key brain antioxidant, is crucial for combating OS.
- The age-related changes in brain GSH and their cognitive associations are not fully understood.
Approach:
- Utilized point-resolved and edited spectroscopy to measure GSH levels in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and occipital cortex (OC).
- Studied 276 healthy participants (aged 20-70 years) to analyze GSH levels in relation to age, sex, and cognitive function.
- Investigated sex-specific differences in GSH level dynamics across brain regions.
Key Points:
- GSH levels showed a significant age-related decrease in the PCC across all participants.
- The temporal dynamics of GSH levels in the PCC and ACC varied between males and females.
- Positive correlations were found between PCC and OC GSH levels and visuospatial memory performance.
Conclusions:
- Provides novel insights into the age-related trajectory of brain GSH and its relationship with sex and memory.
- Highlights the differential impact of aging on brain GSH levels in specific regions and sexes.
- Establishes a foundation for understanding the neurochemical basis of OS-related cognitive aging and diseases.
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