The aging of the brain is accompanied by many alterations that often lead to a decline in neuropsychological abilities, may increase the risk of stroke, and may predispose the elderly to the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Recent evidence suggests, however, that some age-related changes in the brain are beneficial, allowing the brain to compensate for decreased performance and activate stress resistance and resilience pathways. Research over the past two decades has identified robust pathogenic, as well as adaptive neural and glial mechanisms that promote or delay brain and systemic aging. More research is needed to fully characterize these mechanisms and the ways in which they can be optimally engaged or disrupted to preserve function and promote neuroprotection and resilience.

To facilitate this, this collection offers a broad array of experimental approaches to understanding brain aging, as well as therapeutic approaches specifically tailored for the aging brain.

It covers experimental protocols that can be used to gain insight into the mechanisms of brain aging – such as imaging techniques, behavioral assays, in vitro and in vivo models, as well as histologic and molecular assays of brain aging. It also includes experimental protocols for therapeutic intervention in animal models, such as drug delivery, non-invasive protocols that target neural networks (such as gamma entrainment), and interventions that can rejuvenate the aging brain (such as caloric restriction, increased physical exercise, and parabiosis). Taken together, these experimental approaches may stimulate novel discoveries, help improve reproducibility, and stimulate the development of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent, delay, or reverse brain aging.