Aging and Neurodegeneration alter astrocyte identity
Astrocytes play a critical role in providing metabolic support, synapse regulation, proteostasis, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier maintenance and aging alters these processes as astrocytes undergo functional remodeling leading to distinct cellular states.
The researchers in this review discuss how aging modifies astrocyte identities toward reactive and senescence-like states. The authors also summarize core features of astrocyte senescence and delineate multiple reactive states associated with aging and pathological contexts.
They also discuss evidence that how reactivity and senescence coexist and may overlap depending on timing, brain region, biological sex, and pathological insults.
The researchers believe further work is needed to understand the relationships among astrocyte states that might provide opportunites for therapeutic intervention.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11064-026-04709-7
