Researchers discover 'hotspot' in aging brain that requires 'major changes'

Scientists believe they've identified the particular cells responsible for the role of the brain in the aging process.

Researchers at the Allen Institute found that certain cells in mice underwent "major changes" with age, specifically in a "hotspot," as stated in a press release.

Mice were selected due to the fact that their brains exhibit "numerous similarities" to human brains.

"According to Hongkui Zeng, study co-author and director of the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, our brain is made up of numerous cell types that perform distinct functions. Our research reveals that these cell types vary in their susceptibility to the aging process."

The study, backed by the National Institutes of Health, was published in Nature.

Over 1.2 million brain cells from young (2 months old) and older (18 months old) mice were analyzed using RNA sequencing and brain-mapping tools by the researchers.

According to researchers, mice that are 18 months old are roughly equivalent to humans in their late middle age.

Zeng reported that the researchers categorized the cells into 847 distinct groups and discovered approximately 2,500 genes that altered with aging.

Neuronal function decreased while inflammation increased in cells associated with aging.

Zeng explained that alterations in these genes indicate impaired neuronal structure and function in various cell types, including neurons and glia, as well as heightened immune response and inflammation in the brain's immune and vascular cells.

The hypothalamus, which is associated with food intake, energy balance, and metabolism, experienced the most significant changes in cells, according to researchers.

Zeng pointed out that this area is a "hotspot for aging," and there could be a link between diet, lifestyle factors, brain aging, and the risk of age-related cognitive disorders.

"Aging is the most important risk factor for many brain diseases."

According to the research, adopting a healthy lifestyle, regulating metabolism, and decreasing inflammation in the body and brain may slow down or postpone the aging process and lower the likelihood of developing age-related brain diseases, as stated by him.

According to researchers, this discovery could potentially result in new age-related therapies to enhance the performance of these cells and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Many brain diseases are most significantly associated with aging, according to Zeng.

"A genetic map for brain cell types affected by aging has been created through our research, along with new gene and cell targets for developing treatments for aging-related brain diseases."

The study did have some limitations, the authors acknowledged.

Zeng stated that the main limitation of our study is that the results are only correlational.

"Our study provides a detailed genetic map and cell targets, but we do not yet know if gene expression changes in specific cell types cause brain aging."

Future research should investigate the cells' roles in aging and determine if reversing the changes could delay the aging process, as suggested by Zeng.

A board-certified neurologist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, stated that the new research supports the role of diet in human brain health, adding to existing evidence.

The "brain roadmap" will be highly advantageous for future research on aging and potential treatments, as stated by Murray, who did not participate in the study.

Chronic age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's have been linked to inflammation, the neurologist pointed out.

He informed Planet Chronicle Digital that an increasing amount of evidence suggests that many chronic illnesses can be prevented, and it frequently boils down to diet and physical activity.

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"Excluding processed foods from diet and adopting intermittent fasting have been found to decrease cellular inflammation, which may be contributing to various diseases."