Aging mammoth: researchers discovered brain areas most susceptible to age-related changes.

During the study, individual brain cells of mice were analyzed, comparing "young" two-month-old specimens with "aged" eighteen-month-old ones. Focusing on 16 extensive brain regions that make up 35% of the total brain volume of the mouse, researchers found different patterns of genetic activity. While there was a decrease in the activity of neurons and the glial cells supporting them in neural circuits, immune and inflammatory genes in the brain cells became more active with age, reports News Medical.

According to Dr. Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging, "Aging is the most significant risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease and many other debilitating brain disorders. The results obtained allow for the creation of a detailed map of which brain cells might be most susceptible to the effects of aging."

Notably, the cells surrounding the third ventricle of the hypothalamus exhibited the most significant changes in genetic activity. In these regions, which are crucial for regulating functions such as hunger, sleep, and temperature, increased immune activity and decreased functions of neural circuits were observed. Researchers linked these changes to previously obtained data on metabolism and aging, supporting theories about the impact of diets, such as intermittent fasting, on lifespan extension.

This new cellular-level mapping could transform approaches to studying and treating age-related brain diseases. By identifying the most age-sensitive cells, researchers will be able to develop therapies targeting specific vulnerabilities. These results also provide insights into the metabolic and hormonal changes associated with aging and help bridge gaps in understanding human brain health.