| Professor | Akiko SATOH |
| Assistant Professor | Takuya URUSHIHARA |
| Assistant Professor | Shogo TSUJI |
An Integrative Understanding of Mechanisms of Aging/lifespan Control Driven by Hypothalamic Aging
As we age, the brain undergoes functional decline, a process known as “brain aging.” Recent studies suggest that brain aging is not only a consequence of aging itself, but may also play a determining role in lifespan. We aim to deepen our understanding of brain aging at the molecular to tissue levels and to elucidate the role of the brain, particularly the hypothalamus, in regulating aging and lifespan in mammals. In addition, we actively collaborate with experts from diverse fields—such as epidemiology, clinical research, and mathematical modeling—both in Japan and internationally, to develop new approaches for extending healthy human lifespan. Through these efforts, we hope to contribute to a rapidly aging society by enabling people to live longer, healthier lives.
Figure. Mechanisms by which the brain controls systemic aging phenomena and longevity.
The function of the brain, particularly the hypothalamus, declines with age, leading to poor quality of sleep. Certain stress also causes a reduced quality of sleep. Additionally, hypothalamic dysfunction leads to abnormalities in functional brain networks that involve other brain regions. Such poor sleep quality leads to several systemic aging phenomena, and ultimately affects mammalian longevity. A nutritional intervention, such as dietary restriction, delays the aging process and extends lifespan presumably through the suppression of age-associated sleep alterations. Such age-associated sleep alteration may cause aging and affect mammalian longevity. Thus, age-associated sleep alterations can be one of determinant of mammalian longevity.
Research Topics
・Identification of a novel neuronal population in the hypothalamus that may control mammalian longevity through sleep regulation and elucidation of its mechanisms.
・Elucidation of reversible and irreversible molecular mechanisms of brain aging.
・Exploration of neurons and neuronal circuits, which are responsible for the effects of dietary/nutritional interventions in mammalian lifespan extension.
・Investigation of age-associated changes in functional brain networks and their physiological significance.
Research Interests
Hypothalamus, aging/longevity, sleep, functional brain network