How brain cells compete to shape our minds from development to aging

by Zhang Nannan, Chinese Academy of Sciences

How Brain Cells Compete to Shape Our Minds: From Development to AgingNeural cell competition in development, homeostasis and disease. Credit: Gao Lisen

In a recently published review, researchers led by Prof. Wu Qingfeng at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences explored the ongoing process of neural cell competition (NCC), a fundamental mechanism that shapes the brain across the lifespan.

The review is published in National Science Review, and provides fresh insights into how brain cells continuously “compete” for survival and how this competition impacts brain development, wiring, function, and aging.

Although neural cell competition is widely recognized for its role during early brain development, Prof. Wu’s team demonstrated that this process continues to be vital throughout life. They revealed that NCC not only helps maintain healthy brain function but also contributes to age-related cognitive decline when disrupted.

The researchers discussed how NCC regulates the balance between different types of brain cells, such as neural progenitors, neurons, and glial cells, ensuring the proper structure and function of neural networks. As we age, this balance can become skewed, potentially leading to cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Disruptions in cellular competition, such as neuronal loss or excessive glial cell growth, have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases.

Additionally, they highlighted how NCC extends beyond neurons, affecting other brain cell types. For example, in the aging brain, oligodendrocyte precursor cells compete to mature into oligodendrocytes. Dysregulation of this process can impair the brain’s ability to process information efficiently, contributing to conditions like multiple sclerosis and other white matter diseases.

By understanding NCC’s influence across various cell types, the research opens the door to potential strategies for protecting brain cells and slowing the aging process.

One of the most exciting prospects from this research is the possibility of targeting NCC in future therapies to promote brain health in older adults. The review suggests that manipulating the signaling pathways involved in NCC could help protect neurons, enhance cognitive function, and even combat age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

This review highlights the dynamic and ongoing battle that occurs inside our brains every day, one that involves complex interactions between different cell types that impact everything from our ability to learn as children to how we remember things as adults. It’s a critical step forward in understanding how we can better protect our brains as we age.

More information: Yu Zheng Li et al, Neural Cell Competition Sculpting Brain from Cradle to Grave, National Science Review (2025). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwaf057

Provided by Chinese Academy of Sciences


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