'Improving old people,' brain with blood replacement

A team of scientists has found a way to rejuvenate mice 'memory by transmitting young mice' blood to old mice, promising to one day help improve the human body.

The study was carried out by scientists at Stanford University in California (USA). The results of the study have just been presented at the Neurological Society conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

After mixing two circulatory systems of young mice and old mice, the researchers analyzed the hippocampus (memory control area) in the rat's brain, showing that 200-300 genes have changed, especially are genes involved in plastic joints of the nervous system, which underlie the formation of neural reflexes and memory. In addition, a number of other proteins involved in the development of the nervous system also have changes.

Replacing old blood with young blood can reverse the aging process

Not only that, the infusion of young rat blood into older mice also increases the power of neural connections in areas of the brain without new cells forming. That phenomenon does not happen if the blood of old rat blood is transmitted.

The results of the study were verified by scientists by taking photographs of venous plasma of 12 older mice transfused from young mice or old mice for a month. The mice used plasma, not the whole blood component, to eliminate any effect on the production of blood cells.

At the same time, these mice were also involved in testing to determine the position of an object hidden in the water as well as the test of fear reflexes. The mice that received the plasma of young mice 'blood remember the hiding place much faster and the fear reflexes were better than the mice receiving the plasma from old mice.

Although knowing such transfusions will affect the memory control area of ​​the rat brain. But an unresolved issue in the study, which is yet to determine which components will participate in plasma absorption to rejuvenate the brain. The team speculates that the substance plays a role as fat and hormones.

Researchers hope that the results could one day be applied to human rejuvenation studies.