Researchers at UC San Francisco have made a groundbreaking discovery about brain aging, pinpointing a protein called FTL1 as the primary culprit behind age-related decline in memory and neural connections. In a study published in Nature Aging, scientists found that when they blocked FTL1 in aging mice, their brains regained youthful function, and their memory tests improved dramatically.
The hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for learning and memory, is particularly vulnerable to aging. The researchers discovered that FTL1 consistently differed between young and old animals, suggesting its key role in age-related decline. When they artificially increased FTL1 levels in young mice, their brains began to resemble those of older animals.
Furthermore, reducing FTL1 in the hippocampus of aged mice led to improved memory performance and enhanced neural connections. The researchers also found that FTL1 slowed down metabolism in cells, but treatment with a compound that stimulates metabolism prevented these effects.
The study offers hope for developing therapies that block the negative effects of FTL1 in the brain. According to Saul Villeda, PhD, lead author of the paper, “We’re seeing more opportunities to alleviate the worst consequences of old age.” This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for age-related cognitive impairment, making it a promising area of research.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/blocking-this-one-protein-restores-aging-brains