Scientists at the University of California – San Francisco have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding brain aging. A protein called FTL1, previously thought to be involved in memory loss and cognitive decline, has been found to be the master switch for aging in the brain. When researchers blocked this protein in mice, they regained youthful brain function and sharp memory.
Researchers identified FTL1 as the key culprit behind the decline of hippocampus, the region responsible for learning and memory. In old mice, increased levels of FTL1 led to fewer connections between brain cells, diminished cognitive abilities, and slowed metabolism. However, blocking FTL1 reversed these effects, allowing mice to regain their youth.
This discovery suggests that targeting FTL1 could lead to therapies that not only slow down but also reverse cognitive decline. According to Saul Villeda, PhD, associate director of the UCSF Bakar Aging Research Institute and senior author of the paper, “We’re seeing more opportunities to alleviate the worst consequences of old age. It’s a hopeful time to be working on the biology of aging.”
This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding brain aging and developing new treatments. The study’s findings appear in Nature Aging on August 19, 2025.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250820000808.htm