From The Independent
Scientists have identified a pea-sized part of the brain they say may hold the key to extending human lifespans.Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/reverse-ageing-stem-cells-brain-hypothalamus-slow-extend-human-lifespan-dongsheng-cai-albert-a7861746.htmlResearchers found it was “possible to slow and even reverse various aspects of ageing throughout the body” by replenishing adult stem cells that control how quickly the body grows old.
The small bundle of neurons that appears to keep a tight rein on ageing is called the hypothalamus and is located at the base of the brain.
Dongsheng Cai, from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, led the new study in which tests were carried out on lab mice to pinpoint this area.
The research, published in the journal Nature, showed that as the number of these cells declines naturally over time, or if their function is disrupted, the body’s organs and metabolic processes age faster and death occurs earlier.
“Our research shows that the number of hypothalamic neural stem cells naturally declines over the life of the animal, and this decline accelerates ageing,” said Professor Cai. “But we also found that the effects of this loss are not irreversible.”
Ageing could be held back by replenishing these stem cells “or the molecules they produce,” he added.
The scientists believe that humans are likely to respond to the influence of hypothalamus stem cells in just the same way as the mice.
Follow @contentjunkie to stay up to date on more great posts like this one.
