Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: Intact regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is essential for preserving cognitive function and reducing the risk of cerebrovascular events, particularly in the aging population. Autoregulation of CBF is one of the fundamental mechanisms that ensure constant supply for brain tissue by maintaining relatively stable perfusion despite fluctuations in systemic blood pressure. It also acts as a critical protective mechanism, shielding the fragile cerebral microcirculation from potentially harmful pressure fluctuations and hence excessive pulsatility. The loss or attenuation of this protective mechanism with aging or disease increases the vulnerability of the microvasculature to structural damage, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and the development of cerebral small vessel disease. This mini-review summarizes current understanding of how aging affects cerebral autoregulation, highlighting underlying mechanisms, clinical consequences, and potential strategies to preserve cerebrovascular health in older adults.
Source: Life
DOI: 10.3390/life15111669
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Funders: American Heart Association, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, Nemzeti Kutatási, Fejlesztési és Innovaciós Alap, National Research, Development and Innovation Office, National Institute on Aging, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Awards: G1175738181, G1249231945, G1285842913, G1474333000, G233216419, G2492469523, Cerebromicrovascular rejuvenation by heterochronic blood exchange, Time-restricted feeding (TRF) for prevention of age-related vascular cognitive impairment and dementia, G4027441995, G468745342, Radiation-induced astrocyte dysfunction and cognitive decline, G5533907939, Age-related vascular cognitive impairment: role of endothelial senescence, G6101597503, G6235274628, G7315818374, G7386718853, G8023930202, G838159642, G8642716968, Chemotherapy-induced vascular cognitive impairment: role of endothelial senescence, The role of IGF-1 signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells in age-related vascular cognitive impairment and dementia, Midlife Obesity, Neurovascular Senescence and Cognitive Decline, Cerebral microhemorrhages and gait abnormalities in aging, Targeting adipose tissue thermogenesis for age-related vascular cognitive impairment
OpenAlex ID: W4415569086