Researchers have pinpointed genetic changes in the brain that contribute to aging, revealing significant areas where these alterations are most pronounced. The findings, published in the journal Nature, could aid in developing therapies to slow or manage age-related decline.
The study involved genetic mapping of over 1.2 million cells from 16 brain regions of young (two months) and old (18 months) mice, as part of the NIH-funded BRAIN initiative. Mice serve as a model for human brain studies due to structural and functional similarities.
Analysis showed that specific cell types undergo significant changes in gene expression with age. Genes linked to inflammation increase in activity, while those related to neuronal structure and function decrease. A notable 'hotspot' for these changes was identified in the hypothalamus, where both neuronal function declines and inflammation rises.
Significant gene expression changes were observed in cells near the third ventricle of the hypothalamus, which regulates hormones affecting body temperature, food intake, energy usage, and metabolism.
The authors suggest a connection between diet, lifestyle, brain aging, and genetic changes that may increase vulnerability to age-related brain disorders. Kelly Jin, a researcher at the Allen Institute for Brain Science, stated, 'We hypothesize that certain brain cell types become less efficient with age, contributing to overall bodily aging.'
The study lays the groundwork for dietary or pharmacological interventions aimed at combating cellular aging and maintaining neurological health in later years. Dr. Hongkui Zeng, director of the Allen Institute, emphasized the goal of developing tools to target these cell types to improve their function and potentially delay aging.
These findings align with recent studies linking aging to metabolic changes and suggest that intermittent fasting, balanced diets, or caloric restriction may enhance longevity.