Low circulating adropin concentrations identify vulnerability in learning-dependent cognitive performance in aged...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Aging Research
• Metabolic Homeostasis

Background:

• Identifying biomarkers for age-related cognitive decline is crucial.
• Adropin, a peptide regulating homeostasis, has shown links to human cognitive performance.
• Its cross-species relevance for cognitive aging remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between plasma adropin concentrations and cognitive function in aged rhesus macaques.
• To determine if adropin is a conserved biomarker for cognitive aging across species.

Main Methods:

• Aged rhesus macaques were assessed using an increasing food choice test paradigm.
• Plasma adropin concentrations were measured and correlated with decision-making performance.
• Performance was evaluated under conditions of novelty and stress.

Main Results:

• Low plasma adropin concentrations were associated with poor decision-making in aged macaques.
• Higher adropin levels correlated with faster reaction time improvement and reduced variability.
• These effects were more pronounced under stress or novelty, suggesting a role in cognitive resilience.

Conclusions:

• Circulating adropin levels may serve as a conserved, translational biomarker for cognitive aging.
• Adropin signaling is linked to mitochondrial function and stress resistance, relevant to cognitive resilience.
• Adropin represents a potential therapeutic target for mitigating age-related cognitive decline.