Longevity & AgingHow Brain Autophagy at the Synapse Shapes Memory and Drives Neurodegeneration
This comprehensive 2026 review in Autophagy examines how cellular self-cleaning processes—autophagy and selective mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy)—operate within neurons, particularly at synapses. The authors synthesize evidence from primary neuron cultures, animal models, and iPSC-derived neurons to show that autophagy is not merely a survival mechanism but an active regulator of synaptic pruning, dendritic spine morphology, and behavioral flexibility in learning. Disruptions in these pathways are strongly linked to Alzheimer, Parkinson, ALS, Huntington, and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder. The review also highlights emerging diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy and mitophagy pathways, offering a roadmap for future interventions in neurological disease.
