Key Points: As reported in Nature, Duke University researchers have successfully engineered brain connections in mice, leading to signs of improved social and resilient behavior. While not studied directly, the engineered neuronal connections could become a powerful tool for probing neuronal connection loss and dysfunction in models of aging. Synapses Synapses, the junction point between… Continue reading Can Engineered “Rewiring” One Day Help Treat Brain Aging? New Duke University Findings
Category: Brain & Neurons
New Study: Transferring Gut Microbes from Old to Adult Mice Shortens Lifespan
Key Points: The collective community of microorganisms in the gut (known as the microbiome) communicates with the nervous and immune systems. As organisms age, cellular stress from reactive molecules (oxidative stress) can lead to the deterioration of these systems, the microbiome, and the communication between them. Along these lines, some researchers have suggested that the… Continue reading New Study: Transferring Gut Microbes from Old to Adult Mice Shortens Lifespan
Advanced Alzheimer’s Can Be Reversed With NAD+ Restoration, Study Shows in Mice
Key Points: For more than a century, people have seen Alzheimer’s as a one-way street—once memory fades and pathology sets in, the brain can only get worse, not better. But a new study shows that may not be the case. Recent research from Case Western Reserve University suggests late-stage degeneration of the brain (neurodegeneration) may… Continue reading Advanced Alzheimer’s Can Be Reversed With NAD+ Restoration, Study Shows in Mice
Mitochondria-Made Molecule Reverses Memory Loss with Advanced Age
Key Points: A cell-made compound sold as a supplement has shown promising results in aging research. Scientists at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University in Shijiazhuang, China, report that α-lipoic acid, a small molecule produced in mitochondria, significantly restored memory and reduced brain inflammation in elderly mice after a couple of months of treatment.… Continue reading Mitochondria-Made Molecule Reverses Memory Loss with Advanced Age
New Harvard Study: Microbiome Depletion Rejuvenates the Aging Brain
Key Points: Are the bacteria inhabiting our gut friend or foe? A new pre-print study from Harvard University suggests the latter, at least when it comes to healthy aging. Dr. Lee Rubin and his team showed that depleting the gut microbiome of aged mice counteracts key aspects of unhealthy aging, such as memory loss. However,… Continue reading New Harvard Study: Microbiome Depletion Rejuvenates the Aging Brain
Blocking NAD+ Breakdown Improves Cognitive and Physical Performance: New Study
Key Points: Cognitive decline is associated with mental and emotional deterioration rooted in brain malfunction. Even before the age of 50, measurable decrements in cognitive performance, such as reaction time, impulse control, and learning, can be observed. While the precise cascade of molecular events leading to brain malfunction remains largely unresolved, researchers continue to uncover… Continue reading Blocking NAD+ Breakdown Improves Cognitive and Physical Performance: New Study
Gene Therapy Targeting Memory-Encoding Neurons Restores Cognitive Function in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease
Key Points: Researchers and clinicians involved in regenerative medicine, a branch of medicine focused on regenerating damaged tissues and organs to restore normal function, have long sought to identify ways to counteract age-related cognitive decline. Recently, partial cellular reprogramming has emerged as a promising way to restore youthful function in tissues and organs, and Harvard’s… Continue reading Gene Therapy Targeting Memory-Encoding Neurons Restores Cognitive Function in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease
NAD+ Supplement Improves Memory & Brain Immune Cells, New Study Reveals
Key Points: No one wants to lose their memory, but escaping chronic inflammation, which contributes to memory loss, can be difficult, particularly in affluent, industrialized nations. Thankfully, in an effort to deter conditions like heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and type 2 diabetes, scientists are finding ways to combat chronic inflammation. As published in Geroscience, researchers from… Continue reading NAD+ Supplement Improves Memory & Brain Immune Cells, New Study Reveals
New Research: Correcting Gene Splicing with NAD+ Boosts Memory
Key Points: To store memories of the past, the intricate structure of the brain must be delicately rearranged. Through the strengthening of some and the weakening of other neuronal connections, memories are formed, waiting to be updated by novel experience. Even into adulthood, in regions like the hippocampus, new neurons are born. This formation of… Continue reading New Research: Correcting Gene Splicing with NAD+ Boosts Memory
NAD+ Supplement Counters Alcohol-Induced Brain Aging, According to New Study
Key Points: Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drugs. While the immediate effects of heavy drinking are well-known, chronic, excessive alcohol consumption is a major contributor to neurodegeneration, often manifesting as cognitive impairment, memory deficits, and an increased risk of alcoholic dementia. Despite the pervasive nature of this damage, a targeted therapeutic strategy… Continue reading NAD+ Supplement Counters Alcohol-Induced Brain Aging, According to New Study