A recent study published in Nature Aging has identified 13 proteins in human blood that are linked to brain aging. These proteins could provide important clues about how the brain ages and when interventions might be most effective.
The researchers discovered that changes in the levels of these proteins tend to peak around three critical ages: 57, 70, and 78 years. These findings could help guide future efforts to prevent or treat age-related brain disorders.
By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to surpass 1.5 billion globally. As the population ages, understanding the processes involved in brain aging becomes increasingly important.
Conditions like dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders become more common with age, yet effective treatments remain limited. Early detection of brain aging and timely intervention could play a crucial role in preventing these disorders.
Currently, the biological age of the brain can be estimated using brain imaging techniques, which measure features like brain volume and surface area.
However, this study suggests that proteins found in blood might also serve as markers of brain aging. This approach could offer a simpler, less invasive way to assess brain health and biological age.
In this study, Wei Cheng and colleagues analyzed data from 10,949 healthy adults aged 45 to 82, using brain imaging to explore signs of brain aging.
Additionally, they studied blood samples from nearly 5,000 people through the UK Biobank, analyzing the concentrations of around 3,000 different proteins in the blood plasma. Among these, 13 proteins stood out for their strong links to brain aging.
One of these proteins, called Brevican (BCAN), plays a role in the central nervous system. Its levels, along with those of another protein, GDF15, were also associated with dementia, stroke, and movement abilities.
The researchers noticed that the concentrations of these proteins don't change steadily with age. Instead, they follow distinct patterns, with noticeable peaks at the ages of 57, 70, and 78.
These patterns suggest that key transitions in brain health might occur at these ages. Understanding these transitions could help identify the best times to intervene and slow down or prevent brain aging.
It's important to note that the study focused on older adults of European descent. The authors emphasize the need for further research to see how these proteins behave in different age groups and across various ethnicities.
This discovery opens new doors for studying brain health and aging. By tracking changes in these proteins, scientists could develop earlier and more targeted strategies to address age-related brain conditions.
As the global population continues to age, these insights could play a crucial role in improving quality of life for millions.
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