Activated microglia in cortical white matter across cognitive aging trajectories

Tamar Gefen*, Garam Kim, Kabriya Bolbolan, Andrew Geoly, Daniel Ohm, Carly Oboudiyat, Ryan Shahidehpour, Alfred Rademaker, Sandra Weintraub, Eileen H. Bigio, M. Marsel Mesulam, Emily Rogalski, Changiz Geula

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Activation of microglia, the primary mediators of inflammation in the brain, is a major component of gliosis and neuronal loss in a number of age-related neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The role of activated microglia in white matter, and its relationship with cognitive decline during aging are unknown. The current study evaluated microglia densities in the white matter of postmortem specimens from cognitively normal young adults, cognitively normal older adults, and cognitive “SuperAgers,” a unique group of individuals over age 80 whose memory test scores are at a level equal to or better than scores of 50-to-65-year-olds. Whole hemisphere sections from cognitively normal old, young, and “SuperAgers” were used to quantify densities of human leukocyte antigen-D related (HLA-DR)-positive activated microglia underlying five cortical regions. Statistical findings showed a significant main effect of group on differences in microglia density where cognitively normal old showed highest densities. No difference between SuperAgers and young specimens were detected. In two autopsied SuperAgers with MRI FLAIR scans available, prominent hyperintensities in periventricular regions were observed, and interestingly, examination of corresponding postmortem sections showed only sparse microglia densities. In conclusion, activated microglia appear to respond to age-related pathologic changes in cortical white matter, and this phenomenon is largely spared in SuperAgers. Findings offer insights into the relationship between white matter neuroinflammatory changes and cognitive integrity during aging.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number94
JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Volume11
Issue numberMAY
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging (AG045571; T32 AG20506 and AG13854), The Davee Foundation, and the Florane and Jerome Rosenstone Fellowship.

Keywords

  • Cognitive aging
  • Memory
  • Microglia
  • Neurodegeneration
  • White matter

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aging
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Activated microglia in cortical white matter across cognitive aging trajectories'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this