Age-related vulnerability to sleep disruption-induced aggression

As we age, our brains become more sensitive to everyday stressors, especially sleep disruption. Sleep problems are extremely common in older adults and are often linked to changes in mood, such as irritability. But scientists still don’t fully understand why the aging brain has a harder time bouncing back from poor sleep, or which brain systems are responsible for this change.

My research explores how aging affects the brain’s ability to recover from sleep disruption, particularly in the context of social behavior. I focus on two key brain chemicals, serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate mood, behavior, and sleep. In younger brains, these chemicals work together to keep us balanced and emotionally resilient after stress. I aim to understand how this balance is altered with age and whether it can be restored.

To study this, I use cutting-edge neuroscience tools in mice to track changes in brain activity and social behavior after a few days of mild sleep disruption. I compare younger and older mice to see how age affects both the brain’s response and recovery. I also test whether adjusting serotonin or dopamine in specific brain regions can help older mice recover more like younger ones.

This project will help uncover how the brain’s resilience changes with age, especially in response to common stressors like disrupted sleep. By better understanding these processes, we hope to identify new strategies to support emotional health and improve quality of life for older adults.