How Brain Cells Compete to Shape Our Minds: From Development to Aging

In a recently published review titled “Neural cell competition sculpting brain from cradle to grave”, led by Prof. WU Qing-Feng at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), researchers dive into the fascinating process of neural cell competition (NCC), a fundamental mechanism that shapes the brain across the lifespan. Published in National Science Review (https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf057), this work delves into how brain cells continuously “compete” for survival and how this competition impacts brain development, wiring, function, and aging.

 

While NCC is well-known for its role in the early stages of brain development, Prof. WU’s team reveals that this process continues to play a vital role even as we age. They show how this ongoing cellular competition helps maintain healthy brain function but also contributes to age-related decline when things go awry.

 

The team discusses how NCC regulates the balance between different types of brain cells, such as neural progenitors, neurons, and glial cells, and how this competition helps maintain the proper structure and function of neural networks. As we age, this balance starts to tip, potentially leading to cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s. Disruptions in this competition between different cell types could lead to neuronal loss or overgrowth of glial cells, both of which have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases.

 

The review also highlights how competition extends beyond neurons. For instance, in the aging brain, oligodendrocyte precursor cells compete to differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes. When this process becomes dysregulated, it could affect the brain’s ability to process information efficiently, contributing to conditions like multiple sclerosis and other white matter diseases. By understanding how NCC operates across various cell types, future research could unlock new approaches for protecting brain cells and slowing down the aging process.

 

What’s particularly exciting is the possibility that NCC could be targeted for future therapies to promote brain health in older adults. The review suggests that manipulating the signals behind NCC could help protect neurons, boost cognitive function, and even combat age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

 

This review highlights the dynamic and ongoing battle that occurs inside our brains every day, one that involves complex interactions between different cell types that impact everything from our ability to learn as children to how we remember things as adults. It’s a critical step forward in understanding how we can better protect our brains as we age.

 

 

Contact:

Prof. WU Qing-Feng

Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Email: wu_qingfeng@genetics.ac.cn