Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

Scientists Find Protein Inside The Body That Reverses Brain Aging

Researchers at the <span>National University of Singapore</span> (<span>NUS Medicine</span>) have found a key protein in the brain which can help to regenerate neural stem cells and improve aging-associated memory decline. 

Known as cyclin D-binding myb-like transcription factor 1 or DMTF1, the scientists found that this protein's levels are repressed in the “aged” neural stem cells and that restoring it is sufficient to restore the regeneration capabilities of such neural stem cells.

Assistant Professor <span>Ong Sek</span> <span>Tong Derrick</span> explained: "Impaired neural stem cell regeneration has long been associated with neurological <span>ageing</span>. Inadequate neural stem cell regeneration inhibits the formation of new cells needed to support learning and memory functions. 

"While studies have found that defective neural stem cell regeneration can be partially restored, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Understanding the mechanisms for neural stem cell regeneration provides a stronger foundation for studying age-related cognitive decline."

<h2>How Does DMTF1 Protect Against Memory Decline And Dementia?</h2>To understand how DMTF1 works, researchers looked at telomeres — the protective DNA caps at the ends of chromosomes. As we age and our cells divide, telomeres naturally become shorter. When they get too short, cells stop dividing and trigger inflammation. Due to this phenomenon, telomeres are often seen as a biological clock that cannot be reversed.

But DMTF1 seems to bypass this limit by helping neural stem cells to keep multiplying, even during <span>brain aging</span>. It does this by switching on helper genes that promote cell growth through a process called chromatin remodeling.

Importantly, this process can restore the growth of stem cells that had already been damaged by telomere shortening, showing that the effects of <span>aging</span> may not always be permanent.

The researchers plan to further explore if elevating DMTF1 expression can regenerate neural stem cell numbers as well as improve learning and memory under the conditions of telomere shortening and natural ageing, without increasing the risk of brain tumours.

<span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer's disease</a></span> is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.

About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.

Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.

Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.

While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, <span>unhealthy diet</span> and social isolation.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.

There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.

<h2>Can You Detect Alzheimer's Early On?</h2>

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a blood test which can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 and above.

The blood test, known as Lumipulse, can detect amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has proven to be a “less invasive option” that “reduces reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.”

FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said of the landmark decision, "Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

"Knowing that 10 percent of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients."

It remains unclear when this test will be available for commercial use across the world.

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Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) have found a key protein in the brain which can help to regenerate neural stem cells and improve aging-associated memory decline. Known as cyclin D-binding myb-like transcription factor 1 or DMTF1, the scientists found that this protein's levels are repressed in the “aged” neural stem cells and that restoring it is sufficient to restore the regeneration capabilities of such neural stem cells.Assistant Professor Ong Sek Tong Derrick explained: "Impaired neural stem cell regeneration has long been associated with neurological ageing. Inadequate neural stem cell regeneration inhibits the formation of new cells needed to support learning and memory functions. "While studies have found that defective neural stem cell regeneration can be partially restored, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Understanding the mechanisms for neural stem cell regeneration provides a stronger foundation for studying age-related cognitive decline."How Does DMTF1 Protect Against Memory Decline And Dementia?To understand how DMTF1 works, researchers looked at telomeres — the protective DNA caps at the ends of chromosomes. As we age and our cells divide, telomeres naturally become shorter. When they get too short, cells stop dividing and trigger inflammation. Due to this phenomenon, telomeres are often seen as a biological clock that cannot be reversed.But DMTF1 seems to bypass this limit by helping neural stem cells to keep multiplying, even during brain aging. It does this by switching on helper genes that promote cell growth through a process called chromatin remodeling.Importantly, this process can restore the growth of stem cells that had already been damaged by telomere shortening, showing that the effects of aging may not always be permanent.The researchers plan to further explore if elevating DMTF1 expression can regenerate neural stem cell numbers as well as improve learning and memory under the conditions of telomere shortening and natural ageing, without increasing the risk of brain tumours.What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation.Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.Can You Detect Alzheimer's Early On?The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a blood test which can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 and above.The blood test, known as Lumipulse, can detect amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has proven to be a “less invasive option” that “reduces reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.”FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said of the landmark decision, "Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined."Knowing that 10 percent of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients."It remains unclear when this test will be available for commercial use across the world.