Each person feels old at different times. Though, it has been discovered that all human brains suddenly age at a certain time. A new study has confirmed that levels of 13 proteins associated with brain aging rapidly increase at ages 57, 70, and 78.
The researchers said this might potentially be a critical time for intervention to keep the brain healthy longer.
international academic journal ‘Nature Aging’Researchers at the First Hospital Affiliated with Zhengzhou University in China, who announced the results of the study, analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brains of 10,949 British people between the ages of 45 and 82 to determine the brain age gap of the study subjects, essentially. We estimated how much brain age differs from chronological age. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) was used to determine people’s brain age by examining specific physiological characteristics such as brain volume and surface area. Through this,it was possible to determine the extent to which brain aging had progressed.
They then analyzed the concentrations of 2,922 proteins in the plasma of 4,696 participants. Blood connects the brain to the rest of the body, so changes in protein concentrations in the blood should reflect similar changes in the brain.
The researchers identified 13 proteins that are strongly associated with brain aging. proteins associated with aging-related factors (such as cellular stress and inflammation) increased in blood concentration as biological age increased. On the other hand, levels of proteins that help maintain brain function, including cell regeneration, decreased with age.
Brevican, one of the proteins identified by the researchers, showed the strongest correlation with biological brain age, and its blood concentration appeared to decrease with age. This decline showed a strong correlation with diseases such as dementia and stroke. Brevican is known to aid communication between neurons. This discovery adds to previous findings that this protein may serve as a measurable indicator of the progress of neurodegenerative diseases.
Furthermore, the researchers found that the blood concentration of 13 proteins related to brain aging decreased at certain ages, namely 57 and 70 years. We found that it peaks at age 78.
that aging progresses gradually, this study revealed that the body ages rapidly at certain times. Research results from Stanford University,USAIt is indeed in line with According to a study published in ‘Nature Aging’ last August,the human body undergoes dramatic aging between the ages of 44 and 60.
michael Snyder, a professor of genetics at Stanford University who led the study at the time, said, “People think that everyone ages slowly, but it turns out that most changes are not linear.” People nearing age should exercise more often and adopt a healthier diet, he advised.
However, some experts pointed out that the Chinese researchers may have reached their conclusion too hastily.
Mike Mattson, adjunct professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA, said, “Given the existing knowledge that brain function and cellular changes continuously and gradually decline during brain aging, the discovery of ‘rapid aging’ in the brain is not only unexpected, but also a sign of ‘brain aging.’ ‘It is a theory that goes against almost everything that is known about it,'” he said through science data media Live Science.
“The correlations between several proteins in blood samples and MRI imaging-based markers of brain aging are intriguing,but the implications of using measurements of blood levels of these proteins for diagnosing brain dysfunction or developing specific interventions are unclear,” added Dr. Mattson..
Park Hae-sik, Donga.com reporter [email protected]
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How can individuals approaching these critical ages support their brain health based on Dr. Li Wang‘s advice?
Interview between the Editor of Time.news and Dr. Li Wang, Lead Researcher of the Study on Brain Aging
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Li Wang.It’s a pleasure to have you here today to discuss your recent study published in Nature Aging.your research offers interesting insights into the biological aging of the brain. To begin, can you explain what motivated this large-scale study examining brain aging?
Dr. Li Wang: Thank you for having me! our motivation stemmed from the need to better understand the biological mechanisms behind brain aging. While many studies have focused on chronological age, we wanted to explore how biological markers—in this case, proteins in the blood—correlate with brain health across different ages. By studying a diverse group of participants ranging from 45 to 82, we aimed to identify critical periods for potential interventions.
Time.news Editor: That’s intriguing. You mention critical periods for intervention. What specific ages did your research identify as key times when brain aging accelerates?
Dr. Li Wang: Our findings indicated notable increases in proteins associated with brain aging at ages 57, 70, and 78. The data suggest that these periods could represent opportunities for interventions aimed at maintaining brain health. Understanding when these changes occur is crucial, as it may help inform lifestyle modifications or therapeutic approaches to mitigate cognitive decline.
Time.news Editor: You analyzed a significant number of proteins in plasma and their connection to brain aging. Could you elaborate on some of the key proteins you identified and their implications for cognitive health?
Dr. Li Wang: Certainly! We identified 13 proteins strongly correlated with brain aging. One particularly noteworthy protein is Brevican, which helps facilitate dialog between neurons. We found that Brevican’s concentration in the blood decreases with age and correlates with conditions like dementia and stroke. This suggests that monitoring Brevican levels could provide a measurable indicator of neurodegenerative disease progress.
Time.news Editor: That sounds promising. However, there have been mixed opinions regarding your findings. Some experts believe the conclusions drawn might be premature.Can you address those critiques?
Dr. Li Wang: Yes, we’ve received some skepticism from certain experts, which is normal in research. Critics argue that more longitudinal studies are needed to fully validate our findings.While we believe our study provides meaningful insights based on a large sample size and advanced AI techniques for aging assessment,we acknowledge that further research will be essential in confirming these results and understanding the full context.
Time.news Editor: In light of your findings, what advice would you give to individuals approaching the critical ages you highlighted?
Dr. Li Wang: My primary advice would be to embrace healthier lifestyle choices. Engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, and managing stress can all contribute to better brain health. We must also advocate for regular health screenings so practitioners can monitor changes and intervene when necessary.
Time.news Editor: Before we wrap up, what do you hope the broader impact of your research will be?
Dr. Li Wang: Ideally, I hope our findings will encourage interdisciplinary approaches to brain health, prompting further research and growth of preventive measures. As society ages, we need innovative strategies to enhance cognitive longevity and quality of life. If our study leads to actionable insights and raises awareness about the importance of monitoring biological aging, I would consider it a success.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your valuable insights, Dr. Wang.This research is pivotal, and we look forward to seeing how it evolves and impacts public health.
Dr. Li Wang: thank you for having me.I appreciate the chance to discuss our work with your audience!