Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation, and Neuronal Loss Start in Midlife: a 7 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Healthy Adult Age-Span Study

Detcheverry, F. E., Senthil, S., Arnaoutelis, R., Antel, S., Assemlal, H.-E., Karimaghaloo, Z., Arnold, D. L., Near, J., Narayanan, S., Badhwar, A.

Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal; Multiomics Investigation of Neurodegenerative Diseases ( · medrxiv

Paper

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: While changes associated with age-related diseases, like oxidative stress, begin in midlife, most aging studies focused on older individuals. Our study assessed in vivo brain metabolites in healthy adults, including the understudied middle-age group. METHODS: 7T magnetic resonance spectroscopy data were acquired from 87 healthy adults (45 women) aged 20-79 years. Levels of eight metabolites were measured in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and centrum semiovale white matter (CSWM). RESULTS: With increasing age, we found (a) lower glutathione and glutamate, and higher myo-inositol in PCC, and (b) lower N-acetylaspartate and glutamate, and higher N-acetylaspartyl glutamate, myo-inositol, and total creatine in CSWM. Notably, these changes started in midlife and were largely driven by age-related changes in women. DISCUSSION: Overall, we found evidence that (a) oxidative stress, (b) neuroinflammation, and (c) neuronal loss begin in midlife of healthy adults. Targeting these mechanisms in midlife may slow brain aging and reduce the risks of developing age-related diseases.

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Research summary

The study claims that oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal loss begin in midlife in healthy adults. This research is relevant as it identifies early biological changes associated with aging, suggesting potential targets for interventions aimed at slowing brain aging and reducing age-related diseases.

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