[Cellular and vascular aging of the brain].

Abstract

The author first discusses the difficulties in making the distinctions between physiological and pathological cerebral aging. The initial question to be solved is whether or not the physiologic aging of the brain is the result of general vascular pathology or neuronal degeneration. Morphological modifications are then discussed: general and brain weight, lipofuscine deposits, aspect and number of cortical arteries, degenerative arterial lesions. Physiological modifications, i.e. alterations in neurotransmission, cerebral blood flow and metabolism are discussed in the second part of the presentation which is followed by a review of the current literature. The various conclusions drawn concern the available means to retard cerebral, neuronal and vascular aging.