Save Brain, Slay the Zombie Cells

Zombie brain cells!! Sounds kind of creepy right? However, yes there are certain cells in the brain which are not dead and yet they are of no use as these cells are unable to perform the functions that a normal cell would do.

Along with a general decline of overall health, most of the chronic degenerative diseases are most often inherently related to aging. Age related cognitive impairments, neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are conditions that do not have any reverse able viable options for treatment.

A study by the Mayo Clinic on mice points to the fact that when these senescent cells or zombie cells group together in a cell prior to the mice experiencing cognitive decline. The scientist prevented the accumulation of these cells which in turn diminished tau protein aggregation, cell death and memory loss. The removal of these zombie cells from naturally aged mice also showed significant change in their life span. This research could have great implication in our lives. If research get to the point where these senescent cells can be removed from clustering in our brains, development of age related problems  not just  Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s but physicals ailments like osteoarthritis and atherosclerosis can be addressed.

The scientist modeled a mouse that produced sticky tangles of Tau protein in neurons that had the genetic ability to eliminate senescent cell elimination. It was found that when through this process the senescent cells were removed it was found that the diseased animal was actually able to form memories; the sign of inflammation were not present, did not develop neurofibrillary tangles and maintained normal brain mass.

It was also found that there are two kinds of cells that become senescent. The“microglia” and “astrocytes”, these cells are very important for neuronal health and signaling, which means that if any of these cells become senescent it will impact neuron health negatively.

By: Madhuchanda Saxena

Content: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180919133024.htm