bioRxiv

Age-dependent brain pigmentation drives early neuroinflammatory molecular signatures linked to neurodegeneration

Preprint: experiments in miceMechanisms

Abstract

BackgroundNeuromelanin (NM) is a pigment that progressively accumulates with age in catecholaminergic neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra, ventral tegmental area, and locus coeruleus. These neuronal populations are especially vulnerable to degeneration in Parkinsons disease (PD).

The paper

Biomedical Research Networking Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats

bioRxiv, 7 Aug 2026, CC0, Preprint, not peer-reviewed

doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.03.742448