Summary
Researchers at Stanford University believe they might have discovered a novel method of slowing, or even reversing, a range of ageing processes (mental and physical). Their work, based on mice so far, involved injecting the blood of young mice into older rodents. The injected mice performed better on memory tests.
It appears that exposure of an ageing animal to young blood can counteract and reverse certain pre-existing effects of brain ageing “at the molecular, structural, functional and cognitive level”. Researchers plan further studies to discover the active agent(s) at work. Early trials in people are also planned, to determine whether new treatments for dementia might be developed.
This is early research at present, and some caution may be necessary when assessing the potential significance of such disease-modifying treatments for humans.
Reference
Briggs, H. (2014). New blood ‘recharges old brain’, mouse study suggests. London: BBC Health News, May 5th 2014.
This research is explored in more detail, and put into perspective, by an NHS Choices Behind the Headlines critical appraisal:
Reference
Could young blood ‘slow’ ageing? London: NHS Choices Behind the Headlines, May 6th 2014.
This relates to:
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Reference
Villeda, SA. Plambeck, KE. [and] Middeldorp, J. [et al] (2014). Young blood reverses age-related impairments in cognitive function and synaptic plasticity in mice. Nature Medicine. May 4th 2014. [Epub ahead of print]. (Click here to view the PubMed abstract).
Also of interest:
Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Katsimpardi, L. Litterman, NK. [and] Schein, PA. [et al] (2014). Vascular and neurogenic rejuvenation of the aging mouse brain by young systemic factors. Science. May 5th 2014. [Epub ahead of print]. (Click here to view the PubMed abstract).
