"Age Point": Researchers have identified a region in the brain that may hold the key to longevity.

Mice share similar structural, functional, and genetic characteristics with humans, making them valuable for studying how the brain develops over time. Researchers have identified a specific area in the brains of mice where aging results in significant changes across various cell types. They also discovered which cell types undergo the most profound transformations. This research, published in the journal Nature, opens potential avenues for slowing or controlling the aging process in the human brain, reports Earth.

Scientists examined over a million different brain cells from both young and old mice. The study focused on numerous types of glial cells, which are supportive cells in the brain, and it was found that they exhibit significant changes in gene activity as they age.

Researchers found that in the aging brain, the activity of genes associated with inflammation increased, while the activity of genes crucial for neuronal function decreased.

According to the study's authors, aging is the most significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and many other debilitating brain disorders. The research highlighted which brain cells may be most affected by aging. Scientists believe that the findings could lead to new treatments for age-related brain diseases.

Researchers discovered a concentration of these changes in brain cells in a region they termed the "aging point," located in the hypothalamus. The cells and neurons that changed the most with age are those that play critical roles in food consumption, energy homeostasis, metabolism, and how our bodies utilize nutrients.

Scientists suggest that these types of cells become less effective at integrating signals from the environment or from the food consumed. This loss of efficiency somehow contributes to the aging process throughout the human body, according to the researchers.

The authors of the study emphasize the need to develop tools that can target these cell types. Enhancing their functionality could potentially slow down or control the aging process, which may increase lifespan.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict it. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For a diagnosis, please consult a doctor.