Dhaka: Scientists have discovered that restoring a brain protein can partially reverse several aging signs in mice, while a separate treatment with the amino acid D-serine improved cognitive performance. The findings suggest that changes in a protein called Menin, located in a small brain region, may play a role in age-related changes affecting memory, skin, and bone health.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the study led by Lige Leng of Xiamen University in China, published in the open-access journal PLOS Biology in March 2023, identified a possible link between brain inflammation, metabolism, and aging throughout the body. Researchers focused on the hypothalamus, a small brain region that regulates metabolism and other essential functions and appears to play a significant role in the aging process.
Earlier research by Leng and his team indicated that Menin helps control inflammation in the hypothalamus. They investigated whether a decline in this protein could contribute to age-related changes. The research revealed that Menin levels declined with age in certain neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus, a region involved in metabolism. This decline was not observed in astrocytes and microglia, cells that support and protect the brain.
To determine whether the loss of Menin contributed to aging, the scientists created genetically modified mice in which the protein could be selectively removed. Reducing Menin levels in younger mice increased inflammation in the hypothalamus and led to several aging-related changes, including reduced bone mass, thinner skin, cognitive decline, and a slightly shorter lifespan.
The study further explored the impact of Menin on the chemical pathway involved in communication between brain cells. Mice with lower Menin levels had less D-serine, an amino acid that helps activate receptors crucial for learning and memory. The findings suggested that Menin could influence cognitive function through inflammation and the chemical processes needed for communication between brain cells.
The researchers then tested whether increasing Menin levels could improve the health of older mice. They introduced the Menin gene into the animals' hypothalamus, allowing cells to produce more of the protein. After 30 days, the treated mice showed improvements in skin thickness, bone mass, and cognitive performance, with higher D-serine levels in the hippocampus, important for learning and memory.
In a separate experiment, researchers administered D-serine to mice through their drinking water for three weeks. This treatment improved cognitive performance, particularly in older mice. However, D-serine alone did not produce the broader physical improvements seen after restoring Menin, indicating that D-serine supplementation may not reverse aging throughout the body.
Further research has examined related biological processes, though they do not directly confirm the entire Menin aging pathway. Studies have explored Menin in cultured mouse cells and its communication with fat tissue. Additionally, research has analyzed mouse brain cells affected by aging, highlighting the hypothalamus as a crucial area for further investigation.
While some research has explored D-serine in humans, there is no evidence that it can be used as an anti-aging treatment. A small study involving older adults showed limited cognitive benefits from a single D-serine dose, and the long-term safety and efficacy of D-serine for aging remain unproven. The Menin research highlights the potential influence of brain signals on age-related changes, but further study is needed to establish practical treatments for human aging.