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University of Queensland researchers have found a way to reverse a cellular process triggered by COVID-19 that contributes to premature aging of the brain. Dr. Julio Aguado and a team used synthetic brain organoid models, grown in a laboratory from human stem cells, to study the effect of different SARS-COV-2 variants on brain tissue. "We found COVID-19 accelerates the presence of 'zombie' or senescent cells, which accumulate naturally and gradually in the brain as we get older," Dr. Aguado said. "Senescent cells are known to drive tissue inflammation and degeneration, leaving patients exposed to cognitive impairments like brain fog and...

Major depression in older adults is very common, disabling, and increases the risk of many diseases of aging, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, cardiovascular issues and even mortality. Many older adults with depression do not experience full resolution of their depressive symptoms with antidepressant treatment. Improving or achieving full resolution of depression in older adults is a major clinical challenge, and approximately 50% of patients experience persistent depressive symptoms after antidepressant treatment. The persistence of depressive symptoms becomes a source of depleted psychological well-being, increased disability, accelerated cognitive decline, and premature aging in older adults. Therefore, identifying the mechanisms...

Researchers say that they may have discovered the molecular-level cause of Alzheimer’s disease.Scientists at the University of California–Riverside said in recent findings that the key to understanding Alzheimer’s may have to do with “tau” proteins that likely cause neurofibrillary tangles—which are found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Previously, researchers suggested that amyloid plaques, which are a buildup of amyloid peptides, may be the cause.Both amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are critical indicators that doctors look for when trying to diagnose Alzheimer’s.“Roughly 20 percent of people have the plaques, but no signs of dementia,” said UCR chemistry professor Ryan Julian...

Eliminating old, dysfunctional cells in human fat also alleviates signs of diabetes. The discovery could lead to new treatments for Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. The cells in your body are constantly renewing themselves, with older cells aging and dying as new ones are being born. But sometimes that process goes awry. Occasionally damaged cells linger. Called senescent cells, they hang around, acting as a bad influence on other cells nearby. Their bad influence changes how the neighboring cells handle sugars or proteins and so causes metabolic problems. Type 2 diabetes is the most common metabolic disease in...

Pain where the jaw hinges to the skull is both common and difficult to treat. Killing off aged cells might be the secret to healing it. Age worsens joint deterioration in many parts of the body. Scientists aren't sure why, but in many cases this deterioration seems related to old, damaged cells that refuse to die. Normally, cells in our body are constantly renewing themselves. Most cells that get damaged or begin to turn cancerous are removed by our immune system to make way for fresh, young, healthy cells. But sometimes these cells stick around. Called senescent cells, they are...

There has been considerable interest in fisetin recently, especially for its potential as a senolytic, which clears away dysfunctional senescent cells that accumulate with aging. Researchers believe that fisetin may be useful in increasing the healthy period of life known as healthspan. What is Fisetin? Fisetin is a part of the flavonoid family of polyphenols. Fisetin acts as a pigment and influences the color of various fruits and vegetables. Senescent cells and senolytics As we grow older, we accumulate more and more damaged cells which cease dividing and enter a state known as senescence. Once they enter this state, they...