The brain plays a major role in the aging process, and scientists believe they have identified specific cells that control the brain.
In a study of mice, Allen Institute researchers identified specific cells that show “major changes” with age, particularly in certain “hot spots,” according to a press release.
Mice were chosen because their brains share “many similarities” with human brains.
Friends and family may be able to protect themselves from heart attacks, strokes and type 2 diabetes, research suggests
“Our brains are made up of thousands of different types of cells, each of which performs a different function,” study co-author Hongkui Zeng, director of the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, told Fox News. told Digital. “Our study shows that different cell types are more susceptible to the aging process.”
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in the journal Nature.
Scientists at the Allen Institute believe they have pinpointed the specific brain cells that control aging. (St. Petersburg)
The researchers used RNA sequencing and brain mapping tools to analyze more than 1.2 million brain cells from young (2 months old) and old (18 months old) mice.
Reading, praying and listening to music are key to preventing dementia: study
The researchers noted that an 18-month-old mouse is roughly equivalent to a “late middle-aged human.”
Zeng said the researchers classified cells into 847 types and also identified about 2,500 genes that change with age.
The mice (not pictured) were chosen because their brains share “many similarities” with human brains, the researchers said. (St. Petersburg)
Cells associated with aging showed increased inflammation and decreased “neural function.”
“Changes in these genes indicate deterioration of neural structure and function in many neuronal and glial cell types, as well as increased immune response and inflammation in brain immune and vascular (vascular) cell types,” Zeng He elaborated.
5 major Alzheimer's disease discoveries made by scientists in 2024
The researchers noted that the cells that experienced the biggest changes were those in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain associated with food intake, energy balance, and metabolism.
This suggests that the region is an 'aging hotspot' and there may be a link between diet, lifestyle factors, brain aging and risk of age-related cognitive impairment. Dr. Zeng pointed out that there is.
“Aging is the most important risk factor for many brain diseases.”
He said: “Research results show that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, promoting a healthy metabolic state, and reducing inflammation in the body and brain can slow the aging process, delay aging, and reverse the effects of aging.'' “This supports the idea that it may be possible to reduce the risk of associated brain disease.” Said.
The researchers say they hope this discovery could lead to new age-related treatments that improve the function of these cells and help prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
Study researchers discuss findings at the Allen Institute. (Allen Institute)
“Aging is the most important risk factor for many brain diseases,” Zeng points out.
“Our research provides a highly detailed genetic map showing which brain cell types are most affected by aging, and provides new genes and cells to develop new treatments for age-related brain diseases. suggests a target.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The authors acknowledged that the study had some limitations.
“The main limitation of our study is that the results are correlational,” Zeng said.
Neurologists have pointed out that inflammation is involved in chronic age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
“We do not yet know whether the changes in gene expression observed in specific cell types are responsible for brain aging. Our study builds on the foundation by providing detailed genetic maps and cellular targets. Masu.”
Zeng called for future research to investigate the role of cells in aging and determine whether reversing the changes could slow the aging process.
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
Dr. Ernest Lee Murray Board certified neurologist Drs. from Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, commented that this new study adds to the existing evidence supporting the role of diet in human brain health.
Murray, who was not involved in the study, said a detailed “brain roadmap” would be invaluable for future research into aging and possible treatments.
Experts agree that the detailed “brain roadmap” discovered in this study will be extremely useful for future research into aging and possible treatments. (St. Petersburg)
Inflammation has long been known to be involved in chronic age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, the neurologist noted.
“There's growing evidence that many chronic diseases are preventable, and it often comes down to diet and exercise,” he told Fox News Digital.
For more health articles, visit: www.foxnews.com/health
“Changing your diet to eliminate processed foods and starting practices like intermittent fasting has been shown to reduce cellular inflammation, which seems to be linked to so many diseases.”
