Mice rejoice as researchers determine how to reverse getting older

Individuals have been wondering since the dawn of time the way to reverse aging. It was once thought to be as plausible as a Northwest Passage, however scientists have found a way to do it. It only works for mice at this stage though. Post resource – Scientists discover techniques to reverse aging in mice by Money Blog Newz.

Finding how to reverse mice age

It was found at the Harvard Medical School that gene therapy, reports ABC, can be used to reverse the age of laboratory mice. The research team was headed by Dr. Ronald A. DePinho of Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The study was then published. The journal Nature was where they were published at. Scientists first figured out the way to engineer mice that aged faster in order to reverse the aging affect. For instance, mice whose fur had turned gray grew darker fur. In Alzheimer’s, the brain shrinks just as it did in some of these rats. Their brain tissue would grow back though. Subjects that had lost some organ function were able to have it restored. Infertility was reversed. It just showed that aging may be able to be stopped. The effects of aging could possibly be stopped anyway.

How it was able to work

The reason the process worked was because of the specific thing done. Gene therapy is that thing. There are caps on chromosomes which are part of DNA. Telomeres are the name of these caps. Telomeres produce a protective compound called telomerase, which is exactly what the study focused on. There is less production of telomerase when organisms age. The DNA ends up getting damaged as the telomeres breaks down. The reversal of the telomere breakdown was the gene therapy given to the mice. Reversing aging wasn't the purpose of the study. Slowing aging was what was being worked on.

The catch

Humans can't use gene therapy yet. It isn't even close actually. There can be the advantage for humans. Telomere growth might be stimulated by drug regimens. It may become available to humans. If that is the case, the only thing affected could be the breakdown of the body because of aging. There won't be any method to have eternal life. Telomerase therapies will not be for that.

Details from

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Health/Alzheimers/aging-reversed-mice/story?id=12269125&page=1