Blood from human teens rejuvenates body and brains of old mice

New Scientist ^ | 15 November 2016 | Jessica Hamzelou

[moose07]

Blood plasma from young people has been found to rejuvenate old mice, improving their memory, cognition, and physical activity. The method has the potential to be developed into a treatment for people, says Sakura Minami of Alkahest, the company behind the work.

Previous research has found that stitching old and young mice together has an interesting effect. While sharing a blood system works out well for the older mouse, the younger one isn’t so lucky. The young animals started to show signs of brain ageing, while the brains of the older mice started to look younger. “We see a rejuvenation effect,” says Minami.

The key to youth appears to be in the blood plasma – the liquid part of blood. Several studies have found that injecting plasma from young mice into old mice can help rejuvenate the brain and other organs, including the liver, heart, and muscle.

Could blood plasma from young people have the same benefits? To find out, Minami and her colleagues took blood samples from 18-year-olds, and injected them into 12-month-old mice. At this age, the equivalent of around age 50 for people, the mice start to show signs of ageing – they move more slowly, and perform badly on memory tests.

The mice were given twice-weekly injections of the human plasma. After three weeks of injections, they were submitted to a range of tests. The treated mice’s performance was compared to young, 3-month-old mice, as well as old mice who had not received injections.

[moose07]

The question has been asked about how A-holes always manage to live so long, so perhaps yes. Ugh.

[jmcenanly]

This sounds like something out of yet another Young Adult dystopia category, like the Hunger Games as produced by Hammer films.

[jmcenanly]

This sounds like something out of yet another Young Adult dystopia category, like the Hunger Games as produced by Hammer films.

[Reily]

Cue the Dr Phibes movie theme!

[Will88]

This is probably what I half recalled. Peter Thiel is involved with methods to heal and extend life, including transfusions from young people. Not sure whether he is receiving such transfusions yet or not

Peter Thiel Is Very, Very Interested in Young People's Blood

[Yaelle]

If the Podestas and Clintons are how you’re gonna look after cannibalism, I’m out.

Happy Thanksgiving to my beloved FReepers! And the rest of you too, lol!!!

[moose07]

Hope you’re having a good day ,Yaelle. :)

[moose07]

Somehow after looking up that tune, i’m watching a documentary about the Moon....odd that. :)

[ProtectOurFreedom]

But can it possibly get teens running at 8 AM? That’s when they, themselves need rejuvenating.

[ThePatriotsFlag]

Only temporary when the pot wears off.

[jimfree]

Thank you!

[clearcarbon]

This work will lead to vampire mice that evolve wings to fly in darkness in search of the blood that grants eternal youth. That is until it’s shot with a silver bullet.

[Secret Agent Man]

This isnt new news.

Stories like this have been around for years.

Blood from younger people to older people help rejuvenate older people. Their younger blood flows better.

A similar effect can also occur if the older person donates a pint once in awhile. It forces the body to create new blood cells which are more viscuous and smooth and flow better.