Dysfunction of the neurovascular unit in brain aging

Shu Liu; Xu Yang; Fei Chen; Zhiyou Cai

doi:10.7555/JBR.36.20220105

Dysfunction of the neurovascular unit in brain aging

J Biomed Res. 2023 Apr 15;37(3):153-165. doi: 10.7555/JBR.36.20220105.

Authors

Shu Liu^{1

2

3

4

5}, Xu Yang^{4

5}, Fei Chen^{1

2}, Zhiyou Cai^{1

2

3

4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
² Chongqing Institute Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China.
³ Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing 400013, China.
⁵ Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Chongqing 400013, China.

Abstract

An emerging concept termed the neurovascular unit (NVU) underlines neurovascular coupling. It has been reported that NVU impairment can result in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Aging is a complex and irreversible process caused by programmed and damage-related factors. Loss of biological functions and increased susceptibility to additional neurodegenerative diseases are major characteristics of aging. In this review, we describe the basics of the NVU and discuss the effect of aging on NVU basics. Furthermore, we summarize the mechanisms that increase NVU susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Finally, we discuss new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and methods of maintaining an intact NVU that may delay or diminish aging.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; aging; neurovascular unit.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Construction Project of Capacity Improvement Plan for Chongqing Municipal Health Commission affiliated unit [Grant No. (2019NLTS001)-ZS03174], the operating grant to Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases (Grant No. 1000013), Chongqing Talent Project (Grant No. 2000062), Overseas Students entrepreneurial fund (Grant No. 2000079), and Plan for High-level Talent Introduction (Grant No. 2000055).