Researchers: Beatrice Arosio, Riccardo Calvani, Evelyn Ferri, Hélio José Coelho-Junior, Angelica Carandina, Federica Campanelli, Veronica Ghiglieri, Emanuele Marzetti, Anna Picca
Declines in physical performance and cognition are commonly observed in older adults. The geroscience paradigm posits that a set of processes and pathways shared among age-associated conditions may also serve as a molecular explanation for the complex pathophysiology of physical frailty, sarcopenia, and cognitive decline. Mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, metabolic alterations, declines in cellular stemness, and altered intracellular signaling have been observed in muscle aging. Neurological factors have also been included among the determinants of sarcopenia. Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are synapses bridging nervous and skeletal muscle systems with a relevant role in age-related musculoskeletal derangement. Patterns of circulating metabolic and neurotrophic factors have been associated with physical frailty and sarcopenia. These factors are mostly related to disarrangements in protein-to-energy conversion as well as reduced calorie and protein intake to sustain muscle mass. A link between sarcopenia and cognitive decline in older adults has also been described with a possible role for muscle-derived mediators (i.e., myokines) in mediating muscle-brain crosstalk. Herein, we discuss the main molecular mechanisms and factors involved in the muscle-brain axis and their possible implication in cognitive decline in older adults. An overview of current behavioral strategies that allegedly act on the muscle-brain axis is also provided.
References
- Low Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Probable Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from the Longevity Check-Up (Lookup) 7+ Project.
- The Neuromuscular Junction: Aging at the Crossroad between Nerves and Muscle.
- Efficacy of Age-Specific High-Intensity Stretch-Shortening Contractions in Reversing Dynapenia, Sarcopenia, and Loss of Skeletal Muscle Quality.
- Skeletal Muscle Health and Cognitive Function: A Narrative Review.
- Dietary Protein and Muscle in Aging People: The Potential Role of the Gut Microbiome.
- Beneficial effects of exercise on age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle.
- Role of vitamin D supplementation in the management of musculoskeletal diseases: update from an European Society of Clinical and Economical Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) working group.
- Multiomics profiling of the impact of an angiotensin (1-7)-expressing probiotic combined with exercise training in aged male rats.
Topic: Geroscience