The brains that age could ‘become younger when the key protein decreases

Scientists from the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) may have discovered a cause of aging in the brain.

The culprit is a protein called light chain of ferritin 1 (FTL1), described as an iron-associated protein identified as a “pro-aging neuronal factor that harms cognition.”

The study, published in the Nature Aging magazine, compared how genes and proteins in the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for learning and memory, changed over time in old and young mice.

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Aging mice had a greater amount of FTL1, as well as less brain cell connections in the hippocampus and decreased cognitive abilities, according to a UCSF press release.

When FTL1 increased artificially in young mice, their brains began to imitate the brains and behaviors of old mice.

When the protein decreased in old mice, “they recovered their youth,” they had more nerve cell connections and obtained better in memory tests.

FTL1 also slowed metabolism in the cells of the hippocampus of old mice.

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The researchers discovered, however, that the treatment of these cells with a metabolism stimulation compound prevented these effects.

Saul Villeda, PHD, associate director of the Bakar Bakar Aging Research Institute and main author of the document, said he considers these findings as a “disability investment.”

“It is much more than simply delaying or preventing symptoms,” he said in a press release statement.

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“We are seeing more opportunities to relieve the worst consequences of old age. It is a hopeful moment to work on aging biology.”

Dr. Paul Saphier, neurosurgeon and founder of coaxial neurosurgical specialists in New Jersey, described these “really interesting” findings in an interview with News Digital.

“There is no doubt that as proteins accumulate in various parts of the brain, certain neurodegenerative disorders occur,” he said. “Alzheimer’s disease is directly related to an accumulation of amyloid proteins inside the brain.”

“It is much more than simply delaying or preventing symptoms.”

“If there is a mechanism by which we can slow down and/or reverse the accumulation of this FTL1 protein in the hippocampus, which is the main brain memory center, it is logical that we can improve/improve cognition.”

Previous investigations have shown that the modulation of sugar and proteins can reduce the aging rate, said Saphier.

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“I support this research and I am sure that, ultimately, there will be an advance in this area,” he added.

The study was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Bakar Aging Research Institute and the National Institute of Aging.