Brain aging: insights into neuron-glia interactions

Abstract

Aging begins at maturity and is characterized by increasing deviations from an ideal functional state. One major reason for this is thought to be oxydatif stress. The brain is particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. Besides neurons, glial cells, a major family of neural cells, are directly involved in vital brain functions and particularly in the brain antioxidant defence. This review brings insights into the potentialities of these glial cells to protect neurons and into their contribution to the brain aging process.