Aging profoundly affects the brain, contributing to cognitive decline and increasing the risk of neurological disorders. Blood and lymphatic vessels play a crucial role in brain health by supplying oxygen and nutrients, removing waste, regulating immune responses, and releasing signaling factors. However, aging weakens the vascular system, and we don't fully understand how this affects brain function. This project examines how aging-related changes in the vasculature affect oligodendrocytes, the cells responsible for producing myelin, a protective layer surrounding nerve fibers that is essential for brain function. Myelin damage is common in neurological diseases, and impaired repair contributes to cognitive decline and disability. Understanding how blood and lymphatic vessels influence brain repair in aging may lead to strategies for enhancing myelin regeneration, slowing disease progression, and promoting healthy brain aging, ultimately reducing the burden of neurological disorders.

2025

2029