Humans may be able to activate 'hibernation' in the near future

Recently, scientists have found a way to activate hibernate-like states in mice that can drastically lower metabolism and body temperature.

Scientists in Japan have succeeded in activating a dormant-like state in mice by activating a specific group of brain cells.

Research published in Nature shows that even non-hibernating animals in nature can hibernate.

The important thing is that this will help astronauts enter hibernation to conserve food and water, as well as avoid the negative effects of microgravity, on long journeys in space.

During prolonged sleep, hibernating animals soothe the brain and slow down the heart rate and breathing rate

In fact, hibernation does not simply prolong sleep. As food becomes scarce and winter approaches, hibernating animals begin to slow down their metabolism and lower their body temperature. During prolonged sleep, hibernating animals soothe the brain and slow down the heart rate and breathing rate. Therefore, bears, snakes, turtles and other hibernate species can conserve energy. When spring comes, the animals that wake up can only lose a little of their weight, but otherwise stay healthy.

Mice don't hibernate in the wild but in the lab of Japanese scientists, researchers were able to put mice into a state of hibernation by activating a type of brain cell called a neuron business Q .

"Mice have special abilities that meet the criteria for hibernation. In particular, the set point of body temperature drops from about 35 degrees C to about 27 degrees C, the body works normally to maintain it. body temperature is about 22 degrees lower, even when the ambient temperature has dropped significantly , ' said Takeshi Sakurai, a researcher at Tsukuba University.

During hibernation for about a week, the mice were noted to have slower heart rates, reduced oxygen and slower respiration. Although mice do not hibernate for weeks or months at a time, they experience what is called daily diminishing physiological activity.

The researchers say the experiment shows that humans can possess Q neurons, or equivalent brain cells, that can be acted upon to activate a state like hibernation.

"People may not want to hibernate for the same reasons as animals. But there are medical reasons that are needed such as during emergency transportation or in a critical situation such as severe pneumonia, when oxygen demand cannot be met. In the future, we can put people into a state of hibernation for missions to Mars and beyond, " said researcher Genshiro Sunagawa from RIKEN Research Institute. said.