Age-related neuronal vulnerability to brain ischemia: A potential target of gene therapy

Brain infarction is one of the most important age-associated diseases. We h ave developed aged animal models for brain ischemia, and found the age-rela ted neuronal vulnerability to brain ischemia. Investigation of that mechani sm would lead to the effective treatment of brain infarction in the elder p opulation. Recent advancement of gene transfer technique has provided stron g tools for the neuronal and Vascular biology. We described our recent appr oaches of gene transfer to blood vessels, including cerebral circulation, u sing adenoviral vectors. Cerebral blood vessels, atherosclerotic endotheliu m, and ischemic brain tissue ave good targets of gene transfer. Development of these techniques would offer new therapeutic strategies for the age-rel ated neuronal vulnerability and other age-associated diseases.