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Updated: Jun 17, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Alzheimer's Research – Exploring Early Detection and Multi-Omics Approaches
Published on: December 15, 2023
Decoding molecular mechanisms: brain aging and Alzheimer's disease
Mahnoor Hayat1, Rafay Ali Syed2, Hammad Qaiser3
1Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
This review explores how aging affects brain structure and function, distinguishing normal cognitive decline from Alzheimer's disease pathways. Understanding these brain changes is key to predicting dementia risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Pathology
Background:
- The aging brain undergoes complex morphological, anatomical, physiological, and chemical changes.
- Age-related brain alterations affect cognitive functions and can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
- Functional modifications in neurotransmission and neuronal activity are critical in the aging brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review age-induced changes in brain plasticity and molecular processes.
- To differentiate between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
- To provide insights into predicting the risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on brain aging, plasticity, and molecular mechanisms.
- Comparative analysis of findings related to normal aging versus Alzheimer's disease.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on neurotransmission and neuronal activity changes.
Main Results:
- Aging alters brain structure, impacting cognition and function.
- Significant functional modifications in neurotransmission and neuronal activity occur.
- Distinguishing normal aging from Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis is crucial for understanding cognitive decline.
Conclusions:
- Understanding age-related brain changes is vital for maintaining cognitive health.
- Differentiating normal aging from Alzheimer's disease offers insights into dementia risk prediction.
- Further research into brain plasticity and molecular processes can aid in early detection and intervention strategies.
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