The interaction between resilience framework and neuron-astrocyte-synapse dynamics in AD.
Hongyue Ma1, Haizhen Zhao2, Xinhong Feng1
1Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
|September 29, 2025
Summary
Brain resilience, including cognitive reserve and glial cell function, influences how aging and Alzheimer's disease affect brain function. Understanding these mechanisms can guide future therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Brain resilience explains individual differences in cognitive decline due to aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Resilience involves cognitive reserve, brain reserve, and brain maintenance, with the default mode network (DMN) linked to cognitive reserve.
- Glial cells, particularly astrocytes, are crucial for neuronal function, synaptic plasticity, and homeostasis, and are implicated in Alzheimer's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concepts of Cognitive Reserve, Brain Maintenance, and Brain Reserve.
- To explore the mechanisms of glial cell involvement in brain function and neurodegeneration.
- To describe the role of glial cells in Alzheimer's disease and potential therapeutic developments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of resilience concepts.
- Analysis of glial cell functions in healthy and diseased brain states.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on glial cells in Alzheimer's disease.
Main Results:
- The default mode network (DMN) may mitigate Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology's impact on cognition.
- Astrocytes play multifaceted roles in synaptic plasticity, homeostasis, metabolism, and environmental response, all relevant to AD.
- Glial cell interactions with neurons are vital for neural network integrity.
Conclusions:
- Understanding brain resilience mechanisms, including glial cell roles, is key to addressing Alzheimer's disease.
- Glial cell functions offer potential targets for novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for AD.
- This review provides insights for future research and the development of AD treatments.
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