A Method to Investigate Astrocyte and Microglial Morphological Changes in the Aging Brain of the Rhesus Macaque

Methods Mol Biol. 2019:1938:265-276. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9068-9_19.

Abstract

With a rapidly aging population, studies of neuroinflammation and degeneration associated with eugeric aging are becoming critical. Using the unique archive at the Tulane National Primate Research Center as a resource, we have developed tools to quantify morphological changes in astrocytes and microglia across the life span of monkeys. This method can be used for morphometric studies of multiple parameters simultaneously in an unbiased manner.

Keywords: Aging; Astrocyte; Eugeric; Microglia; Neurodegeneration; Neuroinflammation.

MeSH terms

  • Aging* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / cytology*
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Biomarkers
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Microglia / cytology*
  • Microglia / metabolism
  • Software

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein