Cord blood can reverse brain ageing

Cord blood can reverse brain ageing

A protein found in umbilical cord blood may help reverse mental ageing. Human umbilical cord blood can rejuvenate learning and memory in older mice, according to a new study. The researchers identified a protein, abundant in human cord blood but decreasingly so with advancing age, that had the same effect when injected into the animals. The findings could lead to new treatments for age-associated declines in mental ability. An earlier study showed that direct infusion of young mice's plasma benefited old mice.

The new study shows human plasma can aid older mice's memory and learning. Experts said it could have a similar beneficial effect in humans. Comparing blood plasma from 19- to 24-year-olds, 61- to 82-year-olds and umbilical cords, researchers identified age-associated changes in a number of proteins. These changes might affect a brain structure called the hippocampus, which is critical for converting experiences into long-term memories.

The hippocampus is especially vulnerable to normal ageing. Hippocampal deterioration is also an early manifestation of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers used immune-deficient laboratory mice to distinguish the effects of old, young and "youngest" human blood on hippocampal function. Old immune-deficient mice performed more poorly than younger ones on tests of memory and learning. When the older mice received cord blood plasma for two weeks, many measures of hippocampal function improved notably. Plasma from older people, on the other hand, didn't help at all, while young-adult plasma induced an intermediate effect. The study is published online in Nature. — Agencies