- Significant decline in SST+ interneuron density in aged male mice.
- Female mice show increased dendritic arborisation of SST+ interneurons with age.
- Reduced GluN1 and GluN2B puncta density, with increased puncta size in older animals.
J Comp Neurol. 2026 Oct;534(10):e70217. doi: 10.1002/cne.70217.
ABSTRACT
Aging is associated with progressive alterations in cortical circuits that compromise cognitive function. Somatostatin-positive (SST+) Martinotti interneurons, which regulate pyramidal cell activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), are particularly relevant for inhibitory control, yet their age-related vulnerability remains poorly understood. Here, we examined GFP-labeled SST+ interneurons in mice at 3, 9, and 16 months of age, focusing on neuronal density, dendritic arborization, and expression of NMDA receptor subunits GluN1 and GluN2B. Our findings reveal a significant decline in SST+ interneuron density in aged male mice, whereas female mice displayed an increase in dendritic arborization with age. Analysis of NMDA receptor puncta showed a reduction in GluN1 and GluN2B density with increased puncta size in older animals. Together, these findings reveal age- and sex-dependent structural and molecular remodeling of SST+ interneurons in the mPFC.
PMID:42876423 | DOI:10.1002/cne.70217
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