Chemical signals in aged blood that can dampen the growth of new brain cells, suggesting that the decline in brain function with age could be caused in part by blood-borne factors rather than an intrinsic failure of brain cells. By comparing more than 60 chemokines—chemical messengers secreted by cells that circulate in the blood—the researchers identified several associated with the detrimental effect of old blood. Administering one of these chemicals, called CCL11, to young mice dampened neurogenesis and impaired learning and memory. CCL11 has been studied for its role in allergies and asthma, but it’s not clear how it influences neurons.
NOW… While the above is very interesting how they did the test was just as interesting to the Supreme Pundit:
The researchers studied pairs of old and young mice that were literally joined at the hip. They used a technique called parabiosis, in which two mice are surgically joined together along the flank, which causes them to develop a shared circulatory system. Then after they noticed the rejuvenating effect on the older mouse and the crippling effect on the younger one they injected, in separate experiments, young mice with plasma from older mice and vice versa, and found that old plasma impaired the younger animals’ ability to perform learning and memory tasks, whereas young plasma improved the abilities of older mice.
If this is true we are all going to be buying plasma from the youngsters … I VANT TO SUK YOR BLOOD little one…
If you are still with me and interested the specifics are in the Journal Nature for those with a pricy subscription or via Old Blood Impairs Young Brains – Technology Review.