Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the role of mucins, or mucus-like molecules, in maintaining the integrity of blood vessels in the brain. According to a study led by Stanford University’s Carolyn Bertozzi, mucins play a crucial role in keeping the blood-brain barrier intact, and their decline with age may be contributing to cognitive decline.
Scientists have long sought ways to treat diseases of the brain that affect older adults, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The research team focused on the glycocalyx, a layer of mucins lining blood vessels, and found that it becomes thinner and less effective in old mice. However, they discovered that increasing the activity of enzymes responsible for producing these mucins can improve learning and memory.
The study suggests that enhancing mucin production may hold promise as a therapeutic strategy to combat age-related cognitive decline. By targeting the mucin barrier, researchers hope to develop new treatments to alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders associated with aging.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00554-w