Grant: Operating Grant

With aging, many repair functions suffer a decline. This includes repair of myelin in the brain and spinal cord (remyelination) that becomes less efficient with age when an injury occurs to the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. While an uncontrolled inflammatory attack of the brain and spinal cord gives rise to neurological diseases, it is also well appreciated that a properly orchestrated immune response is necessary for repair processes including remyelination. We have discovered means to stimulate a properly directed response, including during the aging process, using niacin (Vitamin B3) and by eliciting a novel immune cell type that we have referred to as "LPS-enhanced M2" cell. In this proposal, we seek to understand the deficient remyelination with aging in mice, and we propose experiments with niacin and LPS-enhanced M2 to foster rejuvenation of myelin repair. Our results are pertinent to healthy brain aging and to white matter diseases that include Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury, stroke and psychiatric conditions.