Neuronal longevity: Study explores how neurons live so long

summary: Scientists are studying the extraordinary longevity of neurons, which can survive for more than 90 years, in a new research project. This study aims to reveal the genetic and molecular mechanisms that enable neurons to live for a long time.

These findings could not only improve understanding of neuroaging, but also lead to treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The research will likely expand beyond neurons, and provide insights into extending the health span of other cell types.

Key facts:

• Nerve cells can live for more than 90 years, but the reasons are still unclear.
• This research aims to discover the genetic factors behind neurological longevity.
• These findings could lead to treatments for age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

source: Picower Institute at MIT

Neurons in the brain can live for more than 90 years, making them exceptional examples of longevity among cells, but scientists know little about how neurons achieve this longevity.

With a new Glenn Foundation Discovery Award, Miriam Hyman, the John and Dorothy Wilson Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT, and her laboratory are planning a research project that expands on preliminary work aimed at discovering genes and molecules. The basis of neural longevity.

Hyman has long studied the mechanisms that make various cells in the brain particularly vulnerable amid neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and frontotemporal dementia.

She said that observing molecular markers of aging in such diseases inspired her to study aging and longevity in neurons more fundamentally.

“The Glenn Foundation Discovery Award seeks to support researchers who have not previously been involved in aging research, but whose research is relevant to understanding the mechanisms of aging and could lead to new developments with great potential to benefit human health and well-being,” Mark said. R. Collins, president of the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research (GFMR).

Support from the award, $525,000 over three years from GFMR and the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR), will enable Hyman’s laboratory to conduct rigorous, unbiased testing in the mammalian nervous system to discover genes that underlie neural longevity and may restore ageing-related recovery. Decrease in nerve cells.

“The mechanisms that underlie the extraordinary longevity of neurons in our brain remain unclear,” said Heyman, a faculty member in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at MIT.

“However, if understood, they could be targeted to restore neuronal function in the context of aging and neurodegeneration, and could also be stimulated in other cell types of the body to increase the health of the whole organism.”

Heyman said she is very grateful for this award, which will enable her and her team members to pursue this research project further.

“AFAR and GFMR are major funders of new and innovative scientific research in aging,” Heyman said.

“Their mission in this area is of great importance, because elucidating the mechanisms of aging at a basic scientific level will lead to tremendous advances in the treatment of countless age-related diseases. Obtaining this grant now has enabled us to work at a crucial early stage.”

About neuroscience and longevity research news

author: Miriam Heyman
source: Picower Institute at MIT
communication: Miriam Hyman – Picower Institute at MIT
image: Image credited to Neuroscience News