Scientists restore a brain protein and reverse signs of aging in mice
Researchers have identified that a brain protein called Menin plays a critical role in regulating metabolism and inflammation in the hypothalamus. Experiments in mice show that restoring this protein can reverse certain signs of aging, offering potential insights into age-related health decline.
Why it matters
Understanding the biological mechanisms of aging could lead to new therapeutic interventions for age-related diseases and cognitive decline in humans.
Memory problems, thinning skin, and declining bone mass may seem like separate consequences of growing older. Yet experiments in mice suggest that changes in a protein deep inside the brain can influence all three. Restoring that protein, called Menin, improved several signs of aging, while a separate treatment with the amino acid D-serine improved cognition.
The findings came from a study published on March 16, 2023, in the open access journal PLOS Biology , led by Lige Leng of Xiamen University in Xiamen, China, and colleagues. The work identified a possible connection between brain inflammation, metabolism, and aging throughout the body. Research published since then has added to that picture, while also showing why the supplement findings require careful interpretation.
How a Brain Protein Could Influence Aging
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