Gene therapy and cell reprogramming for the aging brain: achievements and promise

PARDO J.; MOREL G.R.; ASTIZ M; SCHWERDT J; LÓPEZ LEÓN M.; RODRIGUEZ SS; HEREÑÚ C.; GOYA R.

BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBL LTD

Lugar: Oak Park; Año: 2014 vol. 14 p. 24 - 24

n the central nervous system, cholinergic and dopaminergic (DA) neurons are among the cells most susceptible to the deleterious effects of age. Thus, the basal forebrain cholinergic system is known to undergo moderate neurodegenerative changes during normal aging as well as severe atrophy in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Parkinson's disease (PD), a degeneration of nigro-striatal DA neurons is the most conspicuous reflection of the vulnerability of DA neurons to age. Overall, there is growing evidence that a progressive decline in cognitive function and central DA activity represents basic features of normal aging both in humans and laboratory rodents. Spontaneous or environmental neurotoxin-mediated exacerbation of these processes contributes to the symptoms of AD and PD, respectively. In this context, neurotrophic factors that can prevent or delay the decline in cognitive function and central DA activity are of clinical interest. Among them, Insulin-like Growth Factor I and Glial cell li