Researchers from Stanford, in collaboration with other international institutions, have recently uncovered a genetic “fingerprint” associated with brain aging. This significant study was conducted in mice and revealed crucial molecular changes in the white matter of aging brains. White matter, essential for signal transmission in the brain, undergoes noticeable changes as the mice age.
Middle-aged people often experience a decline in memory and cognitive functions, and until now, the exact molecular changes causing this were not entirely understood. The Stanford research has shed light on the significant alterations in the white matter, a critical nervous tissue that plays a key role in transmitting signals throughout the brain. The study also explored two potential treatments – reducing calorie intake and injecting plasma from younger mice – with the latter seemingly slowing the age-related decline.
The findings provide valuable insights into normal cognitive aging processes and how aging might contribute to various neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. In these diseases, some brain areas are more susceptible to damage, although the exact reason remains unknown.
The study was led by Tony Wyss-Coray, a professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford, who viewed this research as an opportunity to elucidate the mysterious vulnerability of certain brain regions. Along with other scientists, the research team examined gene expression in 15 different regions in both hemispheres of the brains of 59 mice aged between 3 to 27 months.
The team identified 82 frequently occurring genes with varying concentrations in 10 or more regions, using them to develop a common aging score. The most significant changes were found in white matter in 12 and 18-month-old mice, analogous to a person in their 50s.
Wyss-Coray expressed that further work is needed to understand precisely how these changes in white matter affect memory and cognition. The study also highlighted how aging disrupts stable gene expression, affecting inflammation and immune response, and influencing the myelin sheath’s integrity, responsible for transmitting signals.
Oliver Hahn, who was part of the Wyss-Coray lab, emphasized that white matter had often been overlooked in aging research. He pointed out that their data have revealed its particular vulnerability to aging, suggesting new avenues for exploration.
The team also tested interventions such as caloric restriction and plasma injections to slow the genetic shift causing brain decline. These interventions revealed diverse effects, offering hope for improving cognitive performance in old age. They also examined age-related changes in genes associated with specific neurodegenerative diseases, providing insights into patients without clear genetic links.
The study opens doors to new treatments and interventions by focusing on cell populations susceptible to aging. Although the gene changes in mice may not translate directly to humans, the vulnerability of white matter to aging likely does.
The study, published in the journal Cell, received contributions from various universities and institutes and was funded by several foundations and initiatives, including the Phil and Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience, the Max Planck Society, the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword brain aging
What is the main discovery of the Stanford research on brain aging?
The study identified a genetic “fingerprint” in the white matter of aging mice brains, uncovering significant molecular changes. It also explored potential treatments, such as caloric restriction and plasma injections from young mice, offering insights into normal aging processes and neurodegenerative diseases.
Who led the study, and where was it published?
Professor Tony Wyss-Coray led the study at Stanford Medicine, and the research was published in the journal Cell on August 16, 2023.
What were the key findings regarding white matter in the study?
The white matter, found deep in the brain, showed the most pronounced changes in gene expression in mice aged 12 and 18 months. These changes might affect memory and cognition, but further research is needed to understand the exact impact.
How might this study impact understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases?
The study offers insight into the cognitive decline of normal aging and the way aging contributes to conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. It explores interventions that might slow the genetic shift leading to brain decline, providing new opportunities for treatments.
Did the study involve any interventions, and what were the results?
Yes, the study explored two interventions – caloric restriction and injections of plasma from young mice. The dietary intervention influenced genes related to circadian rhythms, while the plasma injections affected genes involved in stem cell differentiation and neuronal maturation, leading to a selective reversal of age-related gene expression.
Was the study conducted only on mice, or were human subjects involved as well?
The study was conducted exclusively on mice. Though the individual gene changes in mice may not translate directly to humans, the vulnerability of white matter to aging is believed to be applicable to human subjects as well. Future work aims to explore similar genetic patterns of aging in the human brain.
More about fokus keyword brain aging
- Stanford Medicine
- Journal Cell
- The Phil and Penny Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience
- Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
- Cure Alzheimer’s Fund
- Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
