Targeting Adult Neurogenesis to Optimize Hippocampal Circuits in Aging.

Neurotherapeutics
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Millions of individuals suffer from age-related cognitive decline, defined by impaired memory precision. Increased understanding of hippocampal circuit mechanisms underlying memory formation suggests a role for computational processes such as pattern separation and pattern completion in memory precision. We describe evidence implicating the dentate gyrus-CA3 circuit in pattern separation and completion, and examine alterations in dentate gyrus-CA3 circuit structure and function with aging. We discuss the role of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in memory precision in adulthood and aging, as well as the circuit mechanisms underlying the integration and encoding functions of adult-born dentate granule cells. We posit that understanding these circuit mechanisms will permit generation of circuit-based endophenotypes that will edify new therapeutic strategies to optimize hippocampal encoding during aging.

Year of Publication
2017
Journal
Neurotherapeutics
Volume
14
Issue
3
Pages
630-645
Date Published
2017 Jul
ISSN
1878-7479
DOI
10.1007/s13311-017-0539-6
PubMed ID
28536851
PubMed Central ID
PMC5509633
Links
Grant list
P50 AG005134 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH104175 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
RF1 AG048908 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States