Unlocking the Secrets of Aging and Cognitive Decline

Published on March 20, 2023

Imagine your body is a complex machine, full of tiny switches that regulate its functions. These switches, called TRP channels, play a crucial role in maintaining the health of your brain’s blood vessels. As you grow older, these channels start to malfunction, leading to a condition known as vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). VCI is a serious problem that affects more and more people as time goes on. But fear not! Scientists are investigating the potential of targeting these TRP channels to develop new treatments for preventing or slowing down the progression of VCI. By understanding how these channels work and their impact on brain health, we may unlock new neuroprotective strategies that keep our minds sharp well into old age. If you’re curious to learn more about this fascinating research, delve into the full article!

Transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins are part of a superfamily of polymodal cation channels that can be activated by mechanical, physical, and chemical stimuli. In the vascular endothelium, TRP channels regulate two fundamental parameters: the membrane potential and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration [(Ca2+)i]. TRP channels are widely expressed in the cerebrovascular endothelium, and are emerging as important mediators of several brain microvascular functions (e.g., neurovascular coupling, endothelial function, and blood–brain barrier permeability), which become impaired with aging. Aging is the most significant risk factor for vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), and the number of individuals affected by VCI is expected to exponentially increase in the coming decades. Yet, there are currently no preventative or therapeutic treatments available against the development and progression of VCI. In this review, we discuss the involvement of endothelial TRP channels in diverse physiological processes in the brain as well as in the pathogenesis of age-related VCI to explore future potential neuroprotective strategies.

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