Aging and Injury Drive Neuronal Senescence in the Dorsal Root Ganglia

Aging and injury drive neuronal senescence in the dorsal root ganglia

Aging negatively impacts central nervous system function; however, there is limited information about the cellular impact of aging on peripheral nervous system function. Importantly, injury to vulnerable peripheral axons of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons results in somatosensory dysfunction, such as pain, at higher rates in aged individuals. Cellular senescence is common to both aging and injury and contributes to the aged pro-inflammatory e…

Study finds “zombie” neurons in the peripheral nervous system contribute to chronic pain

A new study published in Nature Neuroscience provides evidence that aging and injury lead to the buildup of senescent neurons—commonly referred to as “zombie” cells—in the peripheral nervous system. These neurons, which have stopped dividing but refuse to die, secrete inflammatory signals that increase pain sensitivity. The researchers found that removing these senescent cells with a targeted drug not only reduced markers of inflammation but als…