ASTROCYTES UNDERGO MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHANGES IN AN IN VITRO MODEL OF CELLULAR SENESCENCE AND IN THE AGED MOUSE HIPPOCAMPUS

In the central nervous system (CNS), aging triggers cellular and molecular changes that may lead to cognitive decline. Among the CNS glial cells, astrocytes are those intimately involved in synapse formation and plasticity during brain development and adulthood. In contrast, astrocyte dysfunctions are associated with several aging associated diseases such as the neurodegenerative ones. However, little is known about the phenotype and function of these cells during normal aging.