Scientists find ways to boost memory in aging brains
16 days ago
- #aging
- #memory
- #neuroscience
- Virginia Tech researchers identified age-related molecular changes in the brain linked to memory decline.
- Two studies focused on K63 polyubiquitination and IGF2 gene activity, showing these processes can be adjusted to improve memory in older rats.
- In the hippocampus, reducing elevated K63 polyubiquitination improved memory, while in the amygdala, further reducing declining levels also boosted memory.
- Reactivating the IGF2 gene, which becomes silenced with age through DNA methylation, enhanced memory performance in older rats.
- The research highlights that memory loss involves multiple molecular systems, suggesting a broader approach is needed for understanding and treating age-related memory decline and Alzheimer's disease.
- The studies were graduate-led and supported by collaborations with several universities, funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Federation for Aging Research.