Anatomy Commons^™

Feeding The Mind: Dietary Consumption And Neural Aging, Bhavani Tuppale

Senior Theses

Neural aging is the process of physiological decline in the brain and increased vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease are associated with aging and the interaction of genetics and lifestyle choices. Previous research studies have connected Alzheimer’s disease with dysfunction in the metabolic system. To combat age-associated dysfunctions in the metabolic system, research studies propose using the ketogenic diet, which utilizes ketone bodies as an energy source instead of glucose. The thesis analyzes literature on the effect of neural aging on various model organisms, how a ketogenic diet affects aging model organisms, and how aging and …

The Sequence (S) Index As A Marker Of Diminished Step-To-Step Transition Efficiency In Older Adults, Elham Alijanpour, Ashwini Kulkarni, Peter G. Adamczyk, Daniel M. Russell

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: Age-related declines in walking efficiency are often attributed to musculoskeletal and neuromuscular changes, yet the mechanisms underlying these inefficiencies remain poorly understood. One key contributor is the step-to-step transition (STST), during which the center of mass (CoM) is redirected between limbs. The Sequence (S) index quantifies the temporal overlap between push-off and collision forces during STST, with higher values indicating greater mechanical energy loss. This study investigated whether aging affects STST efficiency, as quantified by the S index, and examined the timing and impulse characteristics underlying observed differences.

Methods: Thirteen young and eleven older healthy adults walked at five …

Senescent Fibroblasts In Aging And Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sara B. Palega, Aiwei Y. Borengasser, Yan Y. Sanders

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Aging is a major risk factor for many chronic lung diseases, including Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a fatal and incurable disease characterized by progressive fibrotic remodeling. Age-associated structural alterations, impaired regenerative capacity, and dysregulated cellular signaling collectively create a pro-fibrotic microenvironment. A central driver of this pathological shift is the accumulation of senescent cells, which undergo irreversible growth arrest and develop a robust pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Emerging evidence identifies senescent lung fibroblasts as critical mediators of IPF pathogenesis. These cells promote excessive extracellular matrix deposition, myofibroblast differentiation, and tissue stiffening, while simultaneously impairing epithelial regeneration. Together, these effects …

Senescent Fibroblasts In Aging And Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sara B. Palega, Aiwei Y. Borengasser, Yan Y. Sanders

Microbiology & Molecular Cell Biology Faculty Publications

Aging is a major risk factor for many chronic lung diseases, including Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a fatal and incurable disease characterized by progressive fibrotic remodeling. Age-associated structural alterations, impaired regenerative capacity, and dysregulated cellular signaling collectively create a pro-fibrotic microenvironment. A central driver of this pathological shift is the accumulation of senescent cells, which undergo irreversible growth arrest and develop a robust pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Emerging evidence identifies senescent lung fibroblasts as critical mediators of IPF pathogenesis. These cells promote excessive extracellular matrix deposition, myofibroblast differentiation, and tissue stiffening, while simultaneously impairing epithelial regeneration. Together, these effects …

Single-Cell Transciptomic Analysis Reveals Age-Related Remodeling Of Brain Endothelial Cells, Hai Duc Nguyen, Summer Siddiqui, Diana G. Bohannon, Robert V. Blair, Hong-Wen Deng, Alexandre Prat, Woong-Ki Kim

Microbiology & Molecular Cell Biology Faculty Publications

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity naturally declines with age. Brain endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes (PCs) form the BBB, and aging impairs tight junctions, likely via altered PC-to-EC signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this impairment remain unclear. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we profiled 68,316 brain ECs expressing 15,564 genes from young and old mice. Unsupervised clustering and annotation revealed five distinct EC subtypes—Capillary EC1, Capillary EC2, Arterial EC, Venous EC1, and Venous EC2—defined by marker genes Mfsd2a, Plvap, Bmx, Nr2f2, and Vcam1, respectively. Aging shifted EC subtype distribution, with reduced Capillary EC1 (45% vs. 57%) and increased Arterial …

Novel Device Therapies In Heart Failure: Focus On Patient Selection, Amrita Balgobind, Daniel Asemota, Emily Rodriguez, Phuuwadith Wattanachayakul, Marat Fudim, Miguel Alvarez Villela

Einstein Health Papers

The increasing prevalence of heart failure (HF) has led to advancements in therapeutic strategies, including the development of new pharmacological treatments and the expansion of guideline recommendations across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fractions. Despite these advancements, the full benefits of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) are often limited by various barriers that result in incomplete implementation or suboptimal responses. For patients who cannot tolerate or only partially respond to GDMT, therapeutic options remain limited. This gap is particularly significant for those with contraindications to heart replacement therapies (HRT), such as left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or heart transplant. In …

Magnetization Transfer Ratio In The Typically Developing Pediatric Spinal Cord: Normative Data And Age Correlation, Sara Naghizadeh Kashani, Iswarya Vel, Zahra Sadeghi Adl, Shiva Shahrampour, Devon Middleton, Mahdi Alizadeh, Laura Krisa, Scott Faro, Slimane Tounekti, Julien Cohen-Adad, Feroze Mohamed

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study presents automated atlas-based magnetization transfer (MT) measurements of the typically developing pediatric cervical spinal cord (SC). We report normative MT ratio (MTR) values from the whole cervical cord white matter (WM) and WM tracts, examining variations with age, sex, height, and weight.

METHODS: MT scans of 33 healthy females (mean age = 12.8) and 22 males (mean age = 13.09) were acquired from the cervical SC (C2-C7) using a 3.0 T MRI. Data were processed using the SC Toolbox, segmented, and registered to the PAM50 template. Affine and non-rigid transformations co-registered the PAM50 WM atlas …

Second Language Learning In Older Adults Modulates Stroop Task Performance And Brain Activation, Douglas H. Schultz, Alison Gansemer, Kiley Allgood, Mariah Gentz, Lauren Secilmis, Zoha Deldar, Cary R. Savage, Ladan Ghazi Saidi

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Introduction: Numerous studies have highlighted cognitive benefits in lifelong bilinguals during aging, manifesting as superior performance on cognitive tasks compared to monolingual counterparts. Yet, the cognitive impacts of acquiring a new language in older adulthood remain unexplored. In this study, we assessed both behavioral and fMRI responses during a Stroop task in older adults, pre- and post language-learning intervention.

Methods: A group of 41 participants (age: 60–80) from a predominantly monolingual environment underwent a four-month online language course, selecting a new language of their preference. This intervention mandated engagement for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. …

Age-Related Brain Atrophy And The Positive Effects Of Behavioral Enrichment In Middle-Aged Beagles., Jessica A Noche, Hamsanandini Radhakrishnan, Margo F. Ubele, Kathy Boaz, Jennifer L Mefford, Erin D Jones, Hollie Y Van Rooyen, Jessica A Perpich, Katie Mccarty, Beverly Meacham, Jeffrey R. Smiley, Stasia A Bembenek Bailey, László G Puskás, David K. Powell, Lorena Sordo, Michael J Phelan, Christopher M. Norris, Elizabeth Head, Craig E L Stark

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Aging dogs serve as a valuable preclinical model for Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to their natural age-related development of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques, human-like metabolism, and large brains that are ideal for studying structural brain aging trajectories from serial neuroimaging. Here we examined the effects of chronic treatment with the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) tacrolimus or the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-inhibiting compound Q134R on age-related canine brain atrophy from a longitudinal study in middle-aged beagles (36 females, 7 males) undergoing behavioral enrichment. Annual MRI was analyzed using modern, automated techniques for region-of-interest-based and voxel-based volumetric assessments. We found that …

Art Of Aging – A Portraiture Study, Alaina Mann

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The process of aging can be viewed through different lenses within our society. In the past, scientists and medical professionals performed various studies to better understand and analyze different facets of aging, medicine, and health in general. Historically the arts have reflected multiple aspects of medicine and treatments while more recently, the arts have been used in a research capacity to provide different ways to represent illness, suffering, and care. This study used art-based research methods and portraiture to gather qualitative observations on the older populations within our community. Data collected included drawings, a field journal, and interviews. This study …

Lower Socioeconomic Status Is Associated With Premature Brain Aging, Natalie Busby, Sarah Newman-Norlund, Sara Sayers, Roger Newman-Norlund, Janina Wilmskoetter, Chris Rorden, Samaneh Nemati, Sarah Wilson, Nicholas Riccardi, Rebecca Roth, Lisa Johnson, Dirk B. Den Ouden, Julius Fridriksson, Leonardo Bonilha

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Methods

Acute Effects Of Trunk Stretching On Aortic Arterial Stiffness And Central And Peripheral Blood Pressure In Middle-Aged Older Adults, Kylee West

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Physical activity may alter the trajectory of age-related arterial stiffening, which is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Trunk stretching has reduced arterial stiffness (AS) in young males, but its effect in middle-aged to older adults is unclear. This study examined the effects of passively assisted trunk stretching (PATS) on aortic arterial stiffness and central and peripheral blood pressure in middle-aged to older adults. METHODS: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and Augmentation Index normalized to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute (AIx75) were measured in 28 middle-aged to older adults (14M/14F; 72 ± 7 years; 28.5 …

Short-Term Removal Of Exercise Impairs Glycemic Control In Older Adults: A Randomized Trial, Leryn J. Reynolds, Troy M. Williams, Joel E. Harden, Hannah M. Twiddy, Monica L. Kearney

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Postprandial glycemia (PPG) predicts cardiovascular disease, and short-term physical inactivity increases PPG in young, active adults. Whether this occurs in older, active adults who may be more prone to bouts of inactivity is unknown. This study determined if postprandial interstitial glucose (PPIG) was impaired in active older adults following the removal of exercise for 3 days (NOEX) compared to active young adults. In this randomized, crossover study, 11 older (69.1 ± 1.9 years) and 9 young (32.8 ± 1.8 years) habitually active (≥90 min/week of exercise) adults completed 3-days of NOEX and 3-days of normal habitual exercise (EX), separated by …

The Impact Of Long Term Ovariectomy On Diastolic Function And Fibrosis Following Chronic Sympathetic Stimulation In Mice, Erin Moore

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) accounts for the leading number of deaths worldwide. Prior to menopause, women exhibit lower rates of CVD compared to age-matched men, however, risks for women increase with menopause. Studies show estrogen loss and age exacerbating cardiac β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling and contractile function. We therefore hypothesized that prolonged estrogen deficiency and chronic β-adrenergic stimulation cause decreases in cardiac function and increases in fibrosis in aged female hearts. Female mice underwent either an ovariectomy (OVX) or a control SHAM surgery at 10 weeks old and were infused with Isoproterenol for three days via mini osmotic pumps in …

Evaluating Sex Related Differences In The Osteocyte Lacunar Canalicular Network Across The Lifespan: A Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Approach, Gina Tubo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Bone is a dynamic tissue with the ability to remodel itself. This capability is facilitated via communication mechanisms through the osteocyte-lacunar-canalicular (LCN) network. Osteocytes are bone cells housed in small, hollow spaces called lacunae. Lacunae are linked by canals called canaliculi. A diminished network can lead to the inability to form bone following breakdown. A decrease in osteocyte-LCN density has been shown to correlate with aging (Ashique et al. 2017). This decline leads to the development of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis preferentially affects women. Prior studies have shown that women older than 50 are four times more likely to be osteoporotic when …

Anticipatory Postural Adjustments And Spatial Organization Of Motor Cortex: Evidence Of Adaptive Compensations In Healthy Older Adults, Jo Armour Smith, Beth E. Fisher

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

During anticipated postural perturbations induced by limb movement, the central nervous system generates anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in the trunk and hip musculature to minimize disturbances to equilibrium. Age-related changes in functional organization of the nervous system may contribute to changes in APAs in healthy older adults. Here we examined if altered APAs of trunk/hip musculature in older adults are accompanied by changes in the representation of these muscles in motor cortex. Twelve healthy older adults, 5 with a history of falls and 7 nonfallers, were compared with 13 young adults. APAs were assessed during a mediolateral arm raise task …

Artificial Gravity As A Countermeasure To The Cardiovascular Deconditioning Of Spaceflight: Gender Perspectives, Joyce M. Evans, Charles F. Knapp, Nandu Goswami

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Space flight-induced physiological deconditioning resulting from decreased gravitational input, decreased plasma volume, and disruption of regulatory mechanisms is a significant problem in returning astronauts as well as in normal aging. Here we review effects of a promising countermeasure on cardiovascular systems of healthy men and women undergoing Earth-based models of space-flight. This countermeasure is produced by a centrifuge and called artificial gravity (AG). Numerous studies have determined that AG improves orthostatic tolerance (as assessed by various protocols) of healthy ambulatory men, of men deconditioned by bed rest or by immersion (both wet and dry) and, in one case, following spaceflight. …

Mechanisms Of Fatigue With Aging: Evidence From The Whole-Limb To The Single Cell In Humans, Christopher W. Sundberg

Dissertations (1934 -)

Aging is accompanied by a loss of muscle mass and increased fatigability of limb muscles making it difficult for old adults to generate the force and power necessary to perform daily activities, such as ascending a flight of stairs. The mechanisms for the age-related increase in fatigability in old and very old adults (≥80 yrs) and whether there are differences between men and women are unknown. The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the mechanisms for the age-related increase in fatigability in men and women by studying fatigue at the level of the whole-limb and within the muscle cells. …

Human Body Composition And Immunity: Visceral Adipose Tissue Produces Il-15 And Muscle Strength Inversely Correlates With Nk Cell Function In Elderly Humans, Ahmad Al-Attar, Steven R. Presnell, Jody L. Clasey, Douglas E. Long, R. Grace Walton, Morgan Sexton, Marlene E. Starr, Philip A. Kern, Charlotte A. Peterson, Charles T. Lutz

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Faculty Publications

Natural killer (NK) lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion control infections and cancers, but these crucial activities decline with age. NK cell development, homeostasis, and function require IL-15 and its chaperone, IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Rα). Macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) are major sources of these proteins. We had previously postulated that additional IL-15 and IL-15Rα is made by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. These sources may be important in aging, when IL-15-producing immune cells decline. NK cells circulate through adipose tissue, where they may be exposed to local IL-15. The objectives of this work were to determine (1) if human muscle, …

Exploring Gender Differences Throughout Normal Rat Aging - A Role For Estrogen Signaling In The Brain, Christopher Mark Evola

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Females are more protected than males from neurodegenerative diseases until they go through menopause when this protection drops dramatically. It has been hypothesized that this neuroprotection is hormone-dependent. The current study characterized cell signaling molecules downstream of estrogen receptor beta that are known to play a role in memory, PKC, ERK, and connexin-43, in regions of the brain associated with memory decline in an attempt to elucidate significant changes that occur post-estrus. Total whole cell lysates were compared to isolated mitochondrial protein because mitochondrial function is known to be altered during aging. As hypothesized, protein concentrations differed depending on age, …

Efficacy Of Topical Estradiol Compared To Topical Glycolic Acid For Skin Aging Treatment In Postmenopausal Women, Shannaz Nada Yusharyahya, Marsha Bianti

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Skin aging is a complex biological process in human being, as a result from intrinsic factors (genetic, hormonal, metabolism) and extrinsic factors (UV exposure, pollution, smoking, life style). In postmenopausal women, physiologically, the amount of estrogen are decreased, causing deterioration of their skin’s appearance.

Along with the changes that occur, skin care require more attention. A holistic approach can increase epidermal thickness, therefore, reducing the depth of wrinkles, as well as improving skin texture and moisture. There are various treatments available to improve skin appearance due to aging.

This EBCR is aimed to compare the efficacy of topical estradiol and …

Aging, Inflammation, And Gut Microbiota In Mice, Jody Demeo

Honors Projects

Inflammation and gut microbiota are two areas of study that can be linked to aging in the body. As a person ages, systemic inflammation tends to increase, and changes in microbiota in the gastrointestinal system occur as well.

Metformin To Augment Strength Training Effective Response In Seniors (Masters): Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Douglas E. Long, Bailey D. Peck, Jenny L. Martz, S. Craig Tuggle, Heather M. Bush, Gerald Mcgwin, Philip A. Kern, Marcas M. Bamman, Charlotte A. Peterson

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Background: Muscle mass and strength are strong determinants of a person’s quality of life and functional independence with advancing age. While resistance training is the most effective intervention to combat age-associated muscle atrophy (sarcopenia), the ability of older adults to increase muscle mass and strength in response to training is blunted and highly variable. Thus, finding novel ways to complement resistance training to improve muscle response and ultimately quality of life among older individuals is critical. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a commonly prescribed medication called metformin can be repurposed to improve the response to resistance …

Aging And Muscle Fatigability In The Upper Extremity, Andrew Kuplic

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Aging is accompanied by reductions in strength and contraction velocity, and increased fatigability of limb muscles during high-velocity dynamic contractions. These age-related changes affect functional tasks and are well described for the lower limb, with less known about the upper limb muscles. The aims of the thesis were to compare in young and old men and women: (1) maximal torque and power of the elbow flexor muscles across a range of isokinetic velocities, and (2) the neural (supraspinal) and muscular mechanisms of fatigue induced by high-velocity dynamic contractions of the elbow flexor muscles. 28 young (23.2 ± 2.6 years) men …

Micrornas, Heart Failure, And Aging: Potential Interactions With Skeletal Muscle, Kevin A. Murach, John J. Mccarthy

Center for Muscle Biology Faculty Publications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs for degradation or translational repression. MiRNAs can be expressed tissue specifically and are altered in response to various physiological conditions. It has recently been shown that miRNAs are released into the circulation, potentially for the purpose of communicating with distant tissues. This manuscript discusses miRNA alterations in cardiac muscle and the circulation during heart failure, a prevalent and costly public health issue. A potential mechanism for how skeletal muscle maladaptations during heart failure could be mediated by myocardium-derived miRNAs released to the circulation is presented. An overview …

Functional Alterations Of Ion Channels From Cardiac Fibroblasts In Heart Diseases, Gracious R. Ross, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

In an aged population, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of fatality and morbidity. Age-related fibrotic remodeling of the heart contributes to progressive myocardial dysfunction. Cardiac fibroblasts (CF), responsible for the maintenance of extracellular matrix and fibrosis process, play an important role in cardiac health and disease. CFs influence myocardial function by their chemical, electrical and mechanical interactions with cardiomyocytes through extracellular matrix deposition or secretion of cytokines and growth factors. These, in turn, are modulated by ion channels, macromolecular pores in the plasma membrane that allow selective ionic fluxes of major ions like K⁺, Ca²⁺, …

Vacht Overexpression Increases Acetylcholine At The Synaptic Cleft And Accelerates Aging Of Neuromuscular Junctions, Satoshi Sugita, Leland L. Fleming, Caleb Wood, Sydney K. Vaughan, Matheus P. S. M. Gomes, Wallace Camargo, Ligia A. Naves, Vania F. Prado, Marco A. M. Prado, Cristina Guatimosim, Gregorio Valdez

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Background: Cholinergic dysfunction occurs during aging and in a variety of diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it remains unknown whether changes in cholinergic transmission contributes to age-and disease-related degeneration of the motor system. Here we investigated the effect of moderately increasing levels of synaptic acetylcholine (ACh) on the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), muscle fibers, and motor neurons during development and aging and in a mouse model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: Chat-ChR2-EYFP (VAChTHyp) mice containing multiple copies of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A), and Chat-IRES-Cre and tdTomato transgenic mice were used in this …

Age- And Sex-Related Changes In Fasting Plasma Glucose And Lipoprotein In Cynomolgus Monkeys, Feng Yue, Guodong Zhang, Rongping Tang, Zhouquan Zhang, Liqiong Teng, Zhiming Zhang

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Background: The age-related dysfunction of glucose and lipid metabolism has a long-standing relationship with cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease. However, the effects of metabolic dysfunction on men and women are different. Reasons for these sex differences remains unclear. Cynomolgus monkeys have been used, in the past, for the study of human metabolic diseases due to their biologically proximity to humans. Nevertheless, few studies to date have focused on both age- and sex-related differences in glucose and lipid metabolism. The present study was designed to specifically address these questions by using a large cohort of cynomolgus monkeys (N = 1,399) including …

Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Loss Of Heterozygosity Correlates With Replicative Lifespan And Mitotic Asymmetry In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Emine Guven, Lindsay A. Parnell, Erin D. Jackson, Meighan Parker, Nilin Gupta, Jenny Rodrigues, Hong Qin

Scholarly Works

Cellular aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can lead to genomic instability and impaired mitotic asymmetry. To investigate the role of oxidative stress in cellular aging, we examined the effect of exogenous hydrogen peroxide on genomic instability and mitotic asymmetry in a collection of yeast strains with diverse backgrounds. We treated yeast cells with hydrogen peroxide and monitored the changes of viability and the frequencies of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in response to hydrogen peroxide doses. The mid-transition points of viability and LOH were quantified using sigmoid mathematical functions. We found that the increase of hydrogen peroxide dependent genomic instability often occurs …

White Matter Microstructure Contributes To Age-Related Declines In Task-Induced Deactivation Of The Default Mode Network, Christopher A. Brown, Jonathan G. Hakun, Zude Zhu, Nathan F. Johnson, Brian T. Gold

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Task-induced deactivations within the brain’s default mode network (DMN) are thought to reflect suppression of endogenous thought processes to support exogenous goal-directed task processes. Older adults are known to show reductions in deactivation of the DMN compared to younger adults. However, little is understood about the mechanisms contributing to functional dysregulation of the DMN in aging. Here, we explored the relationships between functional modulation of the DMN and age, task performance and white matter (WM) microstructure. Participants were 117 adults ranging from 25 to 83 years old who completed an fMRI task switching paradigm, including easy (single) and difficult (mixed) …