Dysregulation in “Eat Me” and “Don’t Eat Me” Signals in the Aging Brain Contributes to Loss of Myelination – Fight Aging!

Myelination is crucial for maintaining normal electrochemical transmission through the nervous system. Demyelinating conditions like multiple sclerosis can lead to severe dysfunction and cognitive decline with aging due to damage to myelin sheathing. Recent research suggests that dysregulation of proteins involved in phagocytosis, such as C1q and CD47, may play a role in age-related demyelination. Dysfunctional microglia response to myelin debris and chronic inflammation in the aging brain can hinder proper myelin maintenance and remyelination, contributing to cognitive decline. Understanding the balance between “eat me” and “don’t eat me” signals in white matter tracts could provide insights into mechanisms underlying myelin damage and cognitive impairment in aging individuals.