Menin protein controls brain aging in hypothalamus
A protein best known from cancer research turns out to play a key role in brain aging.
Researchers found that Menin levels in the hypothalamus decline with age. The hypothalamus is a brain region that regulates body temperature, hunger, and hormone release. The finding that a single protein in this small area can influence so many processes had not been demonstrated before.
In experiments, mice with artificially lowered Menin showed accelerated signs of aging. These included reduced memory performance, lower bone density, and higher levels of inflammation markers in the blood. When Menin was restored, several of these measures improved.
Amino acid boosts memory
Alongside Menin restoration, the researchers also tested supplementation with D-serine, an amino acid involved in signaling between brain cells. Mice given D-serine performed better on memory tasks. D-serine acts through receptors (NMDA receptors) that are central to learning and memory.
The findings raise questions about the human situation. Menin levels in the human hypothalamus have not been systematically studied across the lifespan. Whether the effects seen in mice also occur in humans remains unknown.
Not a simple supplement story
D-serine is available as a dietary supplement, but the amounts used in the mouse experiments cannot be directly translated to a human dose. At high doses, D-serine has also been linked to kidney damage. Self-supplementation based on this study is not advisable.
What the study does show is that the hypothalamus is a promising target for aging research. Much previous research focused at the cellular level: damaged cells, telomeres, or mitochondria. Placing emphasis on a specific brain region as a coordinator of aging is a different angle that warrants further investigation.