One of the researchers involved in the work believes that the study points to the basis for the development of new dietary or pharmacological interventions to combat cellular aging and maintain neurological health until old age.
A North American research group has identified genetic changes in the brain in mice that induce aging, as well as the area where these changes are most present.
The research team, from in Seattle, United States, carried out genetic mapping of more than 1.2 million cells from 16 regions of the brain of young (two months old) and old (18 months old) rats, as part of an initiative in the United States of research dedicated to creating neurotechnologies.
Rats share several similarities with humans regarding brain structure, function, genes, and cell types.
By studying the brains of young and old mice, researchers were able to identify that there are dozens of specific cell types that undergo significant changes in their genetic expression with age.
Genes associated with inflammation increase their activity with aging, researchers say.
Brain zone identified
Furthermore, this project identified a specific area of the brain, in the hypothalamus, where both a decrease in neuronal function and an increase in inflammation occur intensely.
The most significant changes were observed in cells close to the third ventricle of the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that produces hormones that control, among others, body temperature, food intake, the use of energy received from food, metabolism and shape. how the body uses nutrients.
According to the researchers, this conclusion implies that there is a link between diet, lifestyle, brain aging and genetic changes that may influence greater vulnerability to age-related brain disorders.
“Our hypothesis is that there are types of cells in the brain that become less efficient with age and contribute to the aging of the rest of the body,” said the first author of the scientific article, Kelly Jin.
The researcher considers that the study points to the basis for the development of new dietary or pharmacological interventions to combat cellular aging and maintain neurological health until old age.
The research whose results have now been published is in line with other recent studies that link aging with metabolic changes and that suggest a balanced diet can improve life expectancy.
