By disabling a protein, researchers ease age-related deterioration in mice

CORONAL VIEW OF A SECTION OF MOUSE BRAIN. (LUIS DE LA TORRE-UBIETA/GESCHWIND LABORATORY/UCLA/WELLCOME)

Scientists have identified a protein that appears to be key in how aging leads to cellular and functional deterioration in our brains. Researchers behind the new study focused on VCAM1, a protein that is made by cells in the blood vessels that run along our brain. Certain components of our blood seem to promote more VCAM1 expression as we age, making them bind to circulating immune cells. That in turn triggers neuroinflammation and hinders the creation of new neurons. When researchers blocked VCAM1 with an antibody in older mice, the animals had healthier brain function and showed improvements on cognitive tests, suggesting that VCAM1 could be a therapeutic target.