Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

86.0K
Overview
86.0K
Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

2.5K
Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial...
2.5K
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

685
In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
685
Aging01:26

Aging

32
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
32
Neuron Structure01:31

Neuron Structure

218.4K
Overview
218.4K
Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

39.0K
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
39.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Editorial: Immune functions of neuroglia.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

Aberrant Potassium Handling by Astrocytes and Epileptic Seizures: A Synthetic Update.

Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)·2026
Same author

Mitochondria transfer in neurological disorders: the key role of neuroglia.

Molecular neurodegeneration·2026
Same author

Astrocytes as Histaminergic Gatekeepers of Anxiety: A New Pathway for Emotional Control.

Journal of neurochemistry·2026
Same author

Congratulations, JNC Turns 70!

Journal of neurochemistry·2026
Same author

Author Correction: Curing the brain: in search for new astrocyte-specific therapies.

Experimental & molecular medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2025

Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
14:57

Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology

Published on: March 23, 2011

93.9K

Neuroglia in aging.

Alexey Semyanov1, Alexei Verkhratsky2

  • 1Department of Physiology, Jiaxing University College of Medicine, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|March 23, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Brain aging impairs neuroglia, affecting astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, leading to cognitive decline. Lifestyle changes can enhance neuroglial function and promote cognitive longevity.

Keywords:
AgingAstrocyteMicrogliaNeuroplasticityOligodendrocyte precursor cellsOligodendroglia

More Related Videos

Viability Assays for Cells in Culture
12:03

Viability Assays for Cells in Culture

Published on: January 20, 2014

46.1K
Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System
11:28

Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System

Published on: August 9, 2013

27.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
14:57

Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology

Published on: March 23, 2011

93.9K
Viability Assays for Cells in Culture
12:03

Viability Assays for Cells in Culture

Published on: January 20, 2014

46.1K
Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System
11:28

Culturing Microglia from the Neonatal and Adult Central Nervous System

Published on: August 9, 2013

27.9K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Aging significantly impacts the brain's microenvironment, particularly neuroglia, compromising essential support and protection.
  • Neuroglia, including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, exhibit age-related structural and functional deterioration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the specific age-related changes in different neuroglial cell types within the human brain.
  • To understand how these glial alterations contribute to brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews existing literature on the morphologic and functional changes in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia during aging.
  • Analysis focuses on cellular mechanisms such as mitochondrial function and protein/lipid ratios in astrocytes.

Main Results:

  • Aging astrocytes show atrophy and functional decline, with mitochondrial issues and altered protein/lipid ratios.
  • Oligodendrocyte lineage cells are severely affected, reducing myelin and impairing brain connectivity.
  • Microglia exhibit dystrophy, weakening brain defenses and increasing susceptibility to neurodegeneration.

Conclusions:

  • Age-related decline in neuroglia compromises brain integrity and function, increasing vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Positive lifestyle interventions like exercise, diet, and environmental enrichment can bolster neuroglial health and support cognitive longevity.