The brain plays a big role in Aging processScientists believe they have identified the specific cells that control it.
In a study conducted on mice, researchers at the Allen Institute identified specific cells that showed “significant changes” with age, especially in a specific “hot spot,” according to a press release.
The mice were chosen because their brains shared “many similarities” with their own Human minds.
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“Our brain is made up of thousands of cell types, which perform different functions,” Hongkui Zeng, a co-author of the study and director of the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, told Fox News Digital. “Our study shows that different cell types are differently susceptible to the aging process.”
The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published in the journal Nature.
Scientists from the Allen Institute believe they have identified the specific brain cells that control aging. (Istock)
The researchers used RNA sequencing and brain mapping tools to analyze more than 1.2 million brain cells in young mice (2 months old) and older mice (18 months old).
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The researchers noted that 18-month-old mice are roughly equivalent to a “late middle-aged human.”
The researchers grouped the cells into 847 different types and also identified approx 2500 jin But that changed with age, according to Zeng.
The researchers said the mice (not pictured) were chosen because their brains share “many similarities” with human brains. (Istock)
Cells associated with aging showed increased inflammation and decreased “neural function.”
“Changes in these genes indicate deterioration of neuronal structure and function in many types of neurons and glial cells, as well as increased immune response and inflammation in types of immune cells and blood vessels in the brain,” Zeng explained.
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The researchers noted that the cells that experienced the greatest changes were those in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain associated with food intake, energy balance, and metabolism.
Zeng noted that this indicates that this region is an “aging hotspot,” and that there could be a relationship between diet, Lifestyle factorsBrain aging and the risk of age-related cognitive disorders.
“Aging is the most important risk factor for many brain diseases.”
“The findings of the study reinforce the idea that conservation Healthy lifestylePromoting a healthy metabolic state and reducing inflammation in the body and brain can slow or delay the aging process and reduce the risk of age-related brain diseases, he said.
The hope is that this discovery will lead to new age-related treatments to improve the function of these cells and help prevent neurodegenerative diseases, according to the researchers.
Researchers from the study discuss the findings at the Allen Institute. (Allen Institute)
“Aging is the most important risk factor for many brain diseases,” Zeng noted.
“Our study provides a highly detailed genetic map of the types of brain cells that may be most affected by aging and suggests new gene and cell targets for developing new treatments for aging-related brain diseases.”
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The researchers acknowledged that the study had some limitations.
“The main limitation of our study is that the results are correlational,” Zeng said.
The neurologist pointed out that inflammation plays a role in age-related chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
“We don't yet know whether changes in gene expression observed in certain cell types are a cause of brain aging. Our study lays the foundation by providing a detailed genetic map and cell targets.”
Zeng called for Future studies To investigate the roles of cells in aging and determine whether reversing the changes can delay the aging process.
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Dr. Ernest Lee Murray, A Certified neurologist The doctor at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, commented that the new research adds to existing evidence that supports the role of diet in human brain health.
This detailed “brain roadmap” will be very useful for future research on aging and possible treatments, according to Murray, who was not involved in the study.
Experts agree that the detailed “brain roadmap” discovered in the study will be very useful for future research into aging and possible treatments. (Istock)
It has been known for some time that inflammation plays a role in age-related chronic diseases Such as Alzheimer's diseaseThe neurologist indicated.
“More and more evidence points to the fact that many chronic diseases can be prevented, and this often boils down to: Diet and exerciseHe told Fox News Digital.
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“Changing one's diet to eliminate processed foods and starting certain habits like intermittent fasting have been shown to reduce this cellular inflammation that seems to lead to many diseases.”
