Chronic liver inflammation has long been a silent threat to our health, contributing to cognitive decline as we age. New research published by the University of Oklahoma aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind this phenomenon and potentially develop new treatments.
According to researchers, chronic inflammation in the liver can lead to brain inflammation, which affects cognitive function. The study focuses on necroptosis, a form of cell death that triggers inflammation. By blocking necroptosis, the researchers found that it reduced liver and brain inflammation, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for maintaining cognitive function.
Obesity exacerbates this issue by increasing inflammation in both the liver and brain, making it essential to understand the complex communication between organs during aging-related diseases. University of Oklahoma researcher Deepa Sathyaseelan is leading this study, which aims to investigate the role of necroptosis on liver-brain crosstalk.
The findings suggest that when liver necroptosis is activated, it releases toxic molecules into the bloodstream, causing inflammation in the brain. This type of organ crosstalk highlights the importance of considering multiple organs when studying aging-related diseases.
Sathyaseelan’s research will explore additional factors contributing to liver inflammation, including macrophages and cellular senescence. Her study may lead to new treatments for conditions like fatty liver disease and Alzheimer’s disease, which are often linked to chronic inflammation.
As obesity becomes a significant factor in inflammation, understanding the interplay between organs is crucial for developing effective treatments. The University of Oklahoma researchers’ findings have far-reaching implications for both liver disease and cognitive impairment, offering hope for new therapeutic strategies to combat these conditions.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/liver-inflammation-cognitive-decline-27850/