Age-related memory loss reversed by new treatment

Scientists have reversed age-related memory loss in mice and believe it could be used to develop treatment to prevent the problem in humans.

The researchers at the University of Cambridge and University of Leeds found “remarkable” results in mice and are now testing their technique to see if it will alleviate memory loss in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease.

“What is exciting about this is that although our study was only in mice, the same mechanism should operate in humans – the molecules and structures in the human brain are the same as those in rodents. This suggests that it may be possible to prevent humans from developing memory loss in old age,” said Professor James Fawcett, from the John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair at the University of Cambridge.

The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, explains how changes in the ‘scaffolding’ around nerve cells in the brain – known as the extracellular matrix – leads to a loss of memory with ageing. They found genetic treatments can be used to reverse it.

“We saw remarkable results when we treated the ageing mice with this treatment. The memory and ability to learn were restored to levels they would not have seen since they were much younger,” said Dr Jessica Kwok, from the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Leeds.

The question is now – will it work on us?