A newly identified protein in the brain could hold the key to reversing age-related memory decline. According to a study published in Nature Aging, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that lowering levels of a protein linked to iron buildup, called FTL1, restored cognitive function in aging mice.
The study focused on the hippocampus, the brain’s memory hub. Scientists found that older mice had higher levels of FTL1, and this protein was actively disrupting neural connections and weakening memory. To test its effects, researchers increased FTL1 in young mice, causing their brains to behave like those of older mice, with fewer synaptic connections and impaired memory.
The most promising finding came when researchers reduced FTL1 levels in older mice. Their brains “bounced back,” with neurons reconnecting and memory improving. “It is truly a reversal of impairments,” said senior author Saul Villeda, emphasizing that the effect was more than just delaying symptoms.
The researchers are hopeful that targeting FTL1 could lead to new therapies for rejuvenating the brain. As Villeda noted, “It’s a hopeful time to be working on the biology of aging.”
Source: UC San Francisco
