Scientists restore a brain protein and reverse signs of aging in mice
Scientists have discovered that restoring a brain protein called Menin in the hypothalamus of mice can reverse several signs of aging, including memory problems, thinning skin, and declining bone mass. Additionally, a separate treatment with the amino acid D-serine improved cognition, suggesting a significant link between brain inflammation, metabolism, and systemic aging.
Why it matters
This research offers a potential new pathway for understanding and combating age-related decline in humans, opening doors for future therapeutic interventions to improve healthspan and quality of life.
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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