Inflammaging-associated mitochondrial degeneration occurs in hypoglossal motor neurons prior to tongue muscle

) were elevated earlier at late-middle-age in brainstem and hypoglossal MNs compared to the tongue muscle. In the tongue muscle, resilience to inflammaging-triggered mitochondrial dysfunction was reflected by the maintenance of mitochondrial function and muscle morphology at late-middle-age. These findings are consistent with behavioral dysfunctions of swallow and airway defense in elderly humans and F344 rats. We propose that the vulnerability of MNs and their mitochondria to specific degenerative pathways may be a potent locus of therapeutic intervention.