Journal Article

DZNE-2025-01071

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Layer-specific changes in sensory cortex across the lifespan in mice and humans.

Liu, P. (First author)DZNE* ; Doehler, J. (First author)DZNE* ; Henschke, J.Extern* ; Northall, A.Extern* ; Knaf-Serian, A. ; Loaiza-Carvajal, L. C. ; Budinger, E. ; Schwarzkopf, D. S. ; Speck, O.DZNE* ; Pakan, J. M. P.DZNE* ; Kuehn, E. (Last author)DZNE*

2025
Nature America New York, NY

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41593-025-02013-1

Abstract: The segregation of processes into cortical layers is a convergent feature in animal evolution. However, how changes in the cortical layer architecture interact with sensory system function and dysfunction remains unclear. Here we conducted functional and structural layer-specific in vivo 7T magnetic resonance imaging of the primary somatosensory cortex in two cohorts of healthy younger and older adults. Input layer IV is enlarged and more myelinated in older adults and is associated with extended sensory input signals. Age-related cortical thinning is driven by deep layers and accompanied by increased myelination, but there is no clear evidence for reduced inhibition. Calcium imaging and histology in younger and older mice revealed increased sensory-evoked neuronal activity accompanied by increased parvalbumin expression as a potential inhibitory balance, with dynamic changes in layer-specific myelination across age groups. Using multimodal imaging, we demonstrate that middle and deep layers show specific sensitivity to aging across species.

Keyword(s): Animals (MeSH) ; Somatosensory Cortex: physiology (MeSH) ; Somatosensory Cortex: diagnostic imaging (MeSH) ; Mice (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Adult (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Aging: physiology (MeSH) ; Aging: pathology (MeSH) ; Young Adult (MeSH) ; Aged (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Mice, Inbred C57BL (MeSH) ; Parvalbumins: metabolism (MeSH) ; Parvalbumins

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Parkinson Genetics (AG Gasser)
2. Clinical Neurophysiology and Memory (AG Düzel)
3. Linking Imaging Projects (AG Speck)

Research Program(s):

1. 353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353) (POF4-353)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Nature ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 25 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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