Declining Menin Protein Drives Aging; D-Serine Restores Memory in Mice

· Science

Scientists have found that declining levels of a protein called Menin may help drive aging, and that restoring it in older mice reversed several age-related changes within 30 days, ScienceDaily reports. Separately in the same item, supplementing with the amino acid D-serine improved memory and learning in the animals, pointing to a potential new approach to age-related cognitive decline. The work adds to a growing body of research treating aging as a process with identifiable molecular drivers that can be manipulated, rather than an inevitable decline. If the findings hold in further studies, they could inform future therapies for memory loss and other conditions of old age.

Why it matters:It strengthens the case that aging has targetable molecular drivers, which could redirect research investment toward therapies for memory loss and other age-related conditions.

Key points

  • Declining Menin levels are linked to aging in the study
  • Restoring Menin in older mice reversed several age-related changes in 30 days
  • D-serine supplementation improved memory and learning in mice

Sources (original reporting)

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