Fruit flies lend themselves to valuable medical research, not least because a surprisingly high proportion of their genes exist also in the human genome. In other words genetically, we are very like fruit flies.

As they age, fruit flies show loss of memory in a similar way to aging humans. This can be easily tested. In this study the scientists identified the neurons (nerve cells) causing the loss of memory through a process called: “functional cellular imaging”. The surprise result of the study was that simple stimulation of these neurons reversed the aging.

Ron Davis, the chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Scripps, Florida, said: “We are able to peer down into the fly brain and see changes… that appear to reflect how intermediate-term memory is encoded in these neurons.”

The memories stored in the neurons were successfully restored by simple microscopic-level stimulation by either heat or cold; both worked.

This research has massive implications for the treatment of memory loss in humans which is associated with aging. Bearing in mind the backdrop of nanotechnology (which is developing at pace), genetics (the cost of which is plummeting) and computerization (the power of which is continuing to double every 18 months) research such as this can be leveraged to produce good results for humans – probably within the decade.

Science Daily article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120402185349.htm

Related articles

• Scientists Shed Light On Age-Related Memory Loss And Possible Treatments (medicalnewstoday.com)

Memory Loss Reversed in Animals is a post from: Living To 150

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In laboratory tests, sirtuins were found to be involved in longevity. This was discovered because cells would live much longer when one of their genes – SIRT1 – was stimulated. This gene produces the sirtuin proteins.

Image via Wikipedia

Furthermore, when the activity of the SIRT1 gene was reduced, the yeast cells died sooner.

The same effect was later found in experiments on roundworms. this coincident effect led scientists to believe that exactly the same would happen with humans – who share a very large proportion of their DNA with both yeast and roundworms.

This led to a search for nutrients which would naturally stimulate the SIRT1 (and SIRT3) gene, and the discovery of resveratrol in red wine.

Resveratrol is now seen as a very promising candidate for research in anti-ageing medicine.

The role of Sirtuins in aging is covered nicely in this article which includes the section: “SIRT3: Balancing Cancer and Aging”

Related articles on Sirtuins and SIRT1 and SIRT3

• Movie star SIRT1 makes for a great body but an old brain (genes2brains2mind2me.com)
• SIRT1 gene important for memory (eurekalert.org)

Sirtuins Are Worthy Candidates For Research is a post from: Living To 150

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Many of us don’t want animals to be used at all in research – even if we will thereby live longer; however, at the same time, we do want the medical advances which such research allows.

Better medical treatment of Alzheimers Disease or cancer, for example would be most welcome – especially if it was needed for ourselves or a close relative. And most of us would like to live a longer, healthier life. Some advances in these conditions do depend, sadly, on animal research.

New Techniques

Happily, modern techniques have reduced the use of animals in research markedly. The use of rats and mice has reduced in some facilities by 80%.

At the same time, the results of testing have actually improved – largely because human cells can be used for much research.

Many experiments are being carried out on cells in test tubes. This is possible because skills have improved; and because of another controversial approach: the use of stem cells.

Stem Cells Are Vital – For Testing and Longevity

Most cells can divide and produce only copies of themselves. Stem cells, however, can differentiate into various body cells; hence their value. This means, for example, that a stem cell might be persuaded to divide and produce a heart cell or a muscle cell. This cluster of cells can then be used for accurate testing

Or, to further longevity, the cells can be grown into tissue for transplant. A recent story describes a case where longer life was certainly achieved by growing a person’s stem cells into part of a windpipe to replace their diseased one.

Stem Cell Controversy

From a longevity point of view, stem cells are the way in which organ replication will be enabled not far in the future.

The controversy over stem cells mainly centres around ‘embryonic stem cells’. However, stem cells are available from other sources in adult bodies, such as bone marrow. Use of these cells in less controversial – though knee-jerk reactions against their use are in evidence. We mustn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Stem cells are so valuable to promote healthy aging and a longer life – because the tissue match can be perfect. Rejection by the body’s immune system is thus avoided.

Difficult Choices for Healthy Aging

The use of techniques such as using stem cells will mean fewer and fewer animals used in research as well as better results in many cases.

Until then, we face the difficult choice of balancing the amount of animal research with the reduction in human suffering such research – even at a reduced level – can bring.

Animal Research Dramatically Reduced is a post from: Living To 150

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