Hypothalamic and dietary control of temperature-mediated longevity

Abstract

Temperature is an important modulator of longevity and aging in both poikilotherms and homeotherm animals. In homeotherms, temperature homeostasis is regulated primarily in the preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus. This region receives and integrates peripheral, central and environmental signals and maintains a nearly constant core body temperature (Tcore) by regulating the autonomic and hormonal control of heat production and heat dissipation. Temperature sensitive neurons found in the POA are considered key elements of the neuronal circuitry modulating these effects. Nutrient homeostasis is also a hypothalamically regulated modulator of aging as well as one of the signals that can influence Tcore in homeotherms. Investigating the mechanisms of the regulation of nutrient and temperature homeostasis in the hypothalamus is important to understand how these two elements of energy homeostasis influence longevity and aging as well as how aging can affect hypothalamic homeostatic mechanisms.

A population-based study on the influence of brain atrophy on 20-year survival after age 85

“…First, the brain regulates a number of functions important for survival, such as blood pressure, body temperature, appetite, energy balance, control of body fluids, electrolyte homeostasis, and cardiac function. 26,27 We have previously shown that larger bifrontal ratio and frontal atrophy were associated with lower blood pressure in 85-yearolds without dementia, 28 areas related to decreased survival in our study. Second, brain atrophy is related to midlife factors, such as obesity 21 and hypertension.…”

Amyloid β42 and Total Tau Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid Associate with Survival in an 85-Year-Old Population-Based Cohort Followed until Death

“…It is well known that manifest clinical AD is strongly related to mortality [1, 3], although the reason for this is not entirely clear. Some functions in the body of importance for survival are regulated by the brain, such as fluid control, electrolyte homeostasis, blood pressure, temperature, energy balance and cardiac function [5, 6]. AD neuropathology might interfere with these neural functions very early in the disease process, long before clinical manifestations of the disease.…”

“…One reason may be that pathological processes in dementia and AD might affect brain control systems, which regulate e.g. cardiac function, blood pressure, electrolytes, appetite, and energy balance [5, 6]. These systems may be affected early in the disease process, as it has recently been reported that cerebral atrophy in older persons without dementia is related to increased mortality [7].…”

Structural brain changes and all-cause mortality in the elderly population—the mediating role of inflammation

“…This might originate in the evolutionary role of the brain as a modulator of longevity, influencing body temperature, nutrient homeostasis, appetite and blood pressure (Cefalu and Wagner 1997;Tabarean et al 2010;Blom et al 2013). Consequently, brain atrophy may be a biomarker of poor health.…”