Researchers in the US are closing in on a therapy that could reverse harmful ageing processes in the brain, muscles, heart and other organs. [s]The Guardian[/s] reports that hopes have been raised by three separate reports that demonstrate in experiments on mice the dramatic rejuvenating effects of chemicals found naturally in young blood. Infusions of young blood reversed age-related declines in memory and learning, brain function, muscle strength and stamina, researchers found. In two of the reports, scientists identified a single chemical in blood that appears to reverse some of the damage caused by ageing. Although all three studies were done in mice, a clinical trial in humans isexpected to begin in the next three to five years.
The ‘vampire therapy’ improved the performance of the elderly mice in memory and learning tasks. And, reports [s]The Independent[/s], structural, molecular and functional changes were also seen in their brains. Evidence was seen of new connections forming in the hippocampus, a brain region vital to memory and sensitive to ageing. The [b]Stanford University[/b] team said: ‘Future studies are warranted in aged humans and potentially those suffering from age-related neurodegenerative disorders.’
[link url=http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/may/04/young-blood-reverse-ageing-mice-studies]Full report in The Guardian[/link]
[link url=http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nm.3569.html]Nature Medicine preview[/link]
[link url=http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2014/04/23/science.1251414.abstract?sid=57517f46-5b47-4b7c-b484-3fcc296d4f2e]Science abstract[/link]
[link url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/vampire-therapy-young-blood-may-reverse-ageing-9323042.html]Full report in The Independent[/link]