Executive Summary
- Scientists have developed a nasal spray to reduce brain aging
- The spray reduces inflammation in the hippocampus
- Results show improved cognitive and memory function in animal models
The Buzz Score
The Internet’s Verdict: 70% Hyped, 30% Skeptical
Expert Reactions
Some experts are skeptical about the results, citing that reducing inflammation is not the same as reversing aging.
‘Reverse brain aging’, sure, in the same sense that taking Vitamin C reverses aging. The nasal spray reduced markers of inflammation in hippocampal microglial cells. A lot of things reduce inflammation. That is not ‘reversing ageing’. Of course, ‘reduces inflammation’ doesn’t headline very well…
Others are more positive, noting that the study was published in a high-impact journal and the results are promising.
High impact journal for an interesting study that is admittedly largely out of my area of expertise. The limitation of it being done in animal models, is of course, noted, but also expected. The question I would ask is how well the underlying background research makes this outcome expected.
Study Details
The study used intranasal human NSC-derived EVs therapy to reduce neuroinflammaging in the hippocampus of aged mice.
The results showed reductions in astrocyte hypertrophy, microglial clusters, and oxidative stress, along with elevated expression of antioxidant proteins and genes that maintain mitochondrial respiratory chain integrity.
Focus Keyword: Brain Aging