Scientists from the Salk Institute have found that dysplasia of microscopic brain structures can cause memory impairments in the elderly, but these do not develop with healthy aging. Research published Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
The brain is divided into regions, each containing millions of neurons connected by thousands of synapses. These synapses, which enable communication between neurons, are connected to even smaller structures: presynaptic buds, dendrites, etc. In a healthy brain, all these parts need to fit together in size.
In a new study, scientists using electron microscopy have found that memory disorders can develop when the relationship between the size of the buds and the mitochondria they contain is disrupted.
With healthy aging, this dimension mismatch does not develop and the person is more likely to avoid cognitive impairment.
“It’s a ripple effect where incredibly tiny synaptic structures alter neuronal networks, brain function and behavior. The study of these microscopic dysfunctions is an unexplored territory that could revolutionize our understanding of aging and its impact on cognition,” the scientists write.