One spray could turn back the clock.
Scientists have developed a therapy that they say could reverse brain aging, restoring memory and focus that’s typically lost over time.
And just two doses showed improvements in cognitive function — a notable result, as new dementia cases are projected to double over the next four decades, reaching about 1 million in 2060.
Researchers have long known that inflammation plays a role in how brains age, a process known as “neuroinflammaging” that can interfere with memory, thinking and how the brain adapts to new situations.
In a study from researchers at Texas A&M University, two doses of a nasal spray dramatically reduced brain inflammation, restored the brain’s cellular power plants and significantly improved memory in mice.
The most surprising outcome of the study was that the results occurred in a matter of weeks and lasted for months.
The spray uses millions of microscopic biological particles called extracellular vesicles that transport genetic material between cells.
They carried microRNAs that modulate and regulate gene and signaling pathways in the brain.
By sending the particles through the nose, they were able to bypass the brain’s protective barrier and be delivered straight to the brain tissue.
Once inside the brain, the treatment targeted cells involved with chronic inflammation that are linked to aging.
The spray did more than reduce inflammation in the brain, though, by restoring brain cell energy via the mitochondria (the power plants inside cells).
Mitochondria can be damaged by aging and inflammation, making brain cells less efficient.
This restoration of the cells’ energy better allowed them to process and store information.
It’s also not just about biological improvements, but real-world observable ones: Treated animals performed better in behavioral testing on memory and recognition tasks.
They were also more successful at identifying familiar objects, recognizing new ones and detecting changes in their surroundings compared to untreated controls.
The treatment could have broader uses for neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia.
“As we develop and scale this therapy, a simple, two-dose nasal spray could one day replace invasive, risky procedures or maybe even months of medication,” study lead Dr. Ashok Shetty said in a press release.
The researchers are also hopeful that the treatment could potentially help stroke patients recover brain function or slow cognitive decline related to aging.
