What if scientists could pinpoint exactly which cells in our brain are most affected by aging? This knowledge could lead to identifying early markers for Alzheimer’s before visible symptoms arise.
A new study using “young” (2 mos. old) and “older” (18.mos old) mice, roughly equivalent to young-adult and 78-year-old humans, according to this age calculator, found that some cells change more than others with age. The study also supports existing research that lifestyle changes that may reduce inflammation, including regular exercise, intermittent fasting and stress management, may help prevent Alzheimer’s.
The brain-mapping tools developed through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) permits scientists to study how aging affects the whole brain, rather than studying one cell at a time. “This new map may fundamentally alter the way scientists think about how aging affects the brain and also provide a guide for developing new treatments for aging-related brain diseases,” said Richard J. Hodes, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute on Aging in a release published on the NIA website.
Scientists Find Dramatic Changes in Neurons and Hypothalamus
Scientists discovered changes in brain cells in a few key areas of the brain. The study supported the results of prior research, showing a decrease in the activity of genes associated with neurons, as well as cells that support neural signaling by controlling neurotransmitter levels in the brain. The study also showed a decrease in the development of newborn neurons in three parts of the brain, including parts that may play a role in learning, memory, and scent recognition. Meanwhile, genes associated with immunity and inflammatory systems in the brain showed increased activity, pointing to increased inflammation. In other studies, inflammation has been identified as a “central mechanism” in Alzheimer’s Disease.
The newest study, published in Nature, also showed that the cells most sensitive to aging surround the third ventricle of the brain, which carries cerebrospinal fluid through the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus controls our temperature, heart rate, sleep, metabolism, hunger, hormones, and stress response. Issues with these aspects of life often show up before memory loss or behavioral changes in Alzheimer’s patients.
It’s important to note, however, that many middle-aged adults experience these symptoms and Alzheimer’s never emerges. Even normal aging triggers changes in cells around the hypothalamus. How many perimenopausal women reading this have experienced weight gain, increased hunger and reduced energy? These are all elements controlled by the hypothalamus.
A Path to Early Identification and Treatment of Alzheimer’s
The latest study aligns with past findings that show links between aging and body metabolism, including studies that show how lifestyle changes like intermittent fasting can improve not just lifespans, but healthspans. Your healthspan is the amount of time a person is not just alive, but free from significant or debilitating illnesses or diseases. However, the study’s authors noted that more research is required to link the study on mice to aspects of human health.
More than 7 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s, including 1 in 9 people aged 65+, according to statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association. Nearly 80% of Americans said they would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s before any symptoms appeared and 92% would take medication to slow the progression of the disease. Mapping the brain can “provide fresh insights on how the brain ages and how neurodegenerative diseases may disrupt normal aging activity,” said John Ngai, Ph.D., director of the BRAIN Initiative, in the report.
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