A new study published in the journal Nature indicates that scientists may be able to use cord blood to rejuvenate the ageing brain. The researchers involved in the study discovered that a protein called tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) could rejuvenate the brains of older mice.
This protein is found in large quantities within the umbilical cord blood of babies — tissue that is normally discarded after a child is born. Cord blood is also a source of other regenerative substances including a variety of stem cells that are currently used to treat more than 80 different illnesses.
The researchers tried to use cord blood to rejuvenate ageing brains in old mice. They gave the mice three injections of human cord plasma, which appeared to wake up many dormant genes in the brain. The hippocampus, the part of the brain primarily responsible for memory, was the main section of the brain that began to regenerate after receiving the cord blood. The mice also experienced an improvement in their ability to learn new tasks like running through mazes.
The researchers believe that they can use the protein to rejuvenate ageing brains only if it is taken from young subjects. Blood from elderly subjects does not improve the cognitive function of mice.
The TIMP2 protein appears to energise the production of cells within the hippocampus. This helps to regenerate hippocampus and improve the cognitive function of the mice.
The findings may someday lead to a treatment that helps patients with a degenerative condition like Alzheimers.
Source: Can scientists rejuvenate an aging brain with a protein found in umbilical cord blood?
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