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Cell proliferation and the aging brain

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Abstract

Human brain cells were cultured from post-mortem tissue obtained from normal adults ranging in age from 15 to 73 years. Over 50% of the explant cultures set up were successful, success rates being significantly greater for gray than white matter. Tissue samples obtained less than 20 hours post-mortem had a slightly but not significantly higher rate of successful cultures than those obtained after a longer delay. A statistically significant age-related decrease in the frequency of successful cultures was found for white matter only, the rate for gray matter remaining constant across the three age groups (less than 40 years, 41–64 years and over 65 years of age). Research reports in the literature have concentrated almost exclusively on age-associated changes in gray matter. In light of the present findings, it is recommended, therefore, that future neuroanatomical and histopathological investigations include the white matter as well.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brentwood Veterans Administration, Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90073

    Steven S. Matsuyama Ph.D.

  2. Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90024

    Steven S. Matsuyama Ph.D.

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  1. Steven S. Matsuyama Ph.D.
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Matsuyama, S.S. Cell proliferation and the aging brain. AGE 3, 43–47 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02432195

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