How do our brain cells age?

Dr. Deborah Kronenberg-Versteeg investigates in the lab how brain cells age. The health of nerve cells is closely linked to the auxiliary cells that surround them, the so-called glial cells. It still remains largely unknown what role glial cells play in age-related diseases. A research network led by the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, the Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), and the University of Tübingen is now investigating how nerve cells age and become susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases, utilizing human brain tissue cultures. The researchers are testing the hypothesis that neuronal dysfunction is primarily caused by changes in glial cells. The study, which is now underway, is being funded with 1.6 million US dollars (current equivalent to 1.6 million euros) from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, as the philanthropy of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Dr. Priscilla Chan announced this week. -We are very pleased to receive this financial support, which will allow us to implement the project,- study lead Dr. Deborah Kronenberg-Versteeg says.