Aging is characterized by a progressive increase in neuroinflammation, which contributes to cognitive impairment, associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Aging associates with activation of microglia (brain resident macrophages) and astrocytes, and pathological production of proinflammatory cytokines. This leads to aberrant neuronal signaling and deterioration of the central nervous system (CNS), all contributing to accelerated cognitive impairment. The detailed mechanisms controlling neuroinflammation are still unknown. The interplay between aging, metabolic changes, and systemic/central inflammation suggests that therapeutics that target metabolism and age-associated inflammation may promote healthy brain aging and can possibly be used as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
We are focusing on the role of neuroinflammatory signals in the aging brain, with a major focus on age-dependent changes in hypothalamic inflammation and metabolic regulation. Our recent studies involve the assessment of anti-aging drugs on sex-specific neuroinflammatory responses in the hypothalamus and cognitive function.