Scientists reverse brain aging, with a nasal spray
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Nasal spray of extracellular vesicles reverses brain inflammation and memory decline in aged mice.
Texas A&M researchers developed a nasal spray containing extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human stem cells. Two doses delivered microRNAs that suppressed NLRP3 and cGAS-STING inflammatory pathways in the hippocampus of aged mice. Treatment reduced oxidative stress, restored mitochondrial function, and improved memory in behavioral tests. Effects lasted months. The study, published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, was funded by the National Institute on Aging. A U.S. patent has been filed.
What commenters are saying
Top comment notes the study was done in mice, citing the paper's explicit mention of 18-month-old C57BL6/J mice. Commenters express skepticism about the AI-generated feel of the press release and the hype around 'reversing aging' when only inflammatory markers improved. Several joke about mice getting all the treatments first. One commenter links to a prior This American Life episode about pet rats. A detailed summary of the paper's abstract is provided to cut through the sensationalism.