Researchers at the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine, led by Ashok Shetty with senior scientists Madhu Leelavathi Narayana and Maheedhar Kodali, published results showing a nasal spray can reverse signs of brain aging in preclinical models. The study appears in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles. In the United States, new dementia cases are projected to rise from about 514,000 in 2020 to about 1 million in 2060, which increases the need for new interventions.
The spray delivers millions of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that carry microRNAs to the brain via intranasal delivery, allowing them to bypass the blood–brain barrier. Once taken up by the brain’s resident immune cells, the microRNAs acted on pathways that drive chronic inflammation. The study reports suppression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the cGAS–STING signaling pathways, a reduction in oxidative stress, and reactivation of neuronal mitochondria. These cellular changes improved the brain’s capacity to process and store information.
Behavioral tests showed treated models performed better at recognising familiar objects and detecting new objects or changes, with similar outcomes in both sexes. The researchers have filed a US patent for the therapy and received support from the National Institute on Aging. Lead authors say the approach could become a noninvasive alternative to risky procedures or long medication courses, with possible future uses for stroke recovery or slowing cognitive aging. It is not yet clear how these results will translate to people, and further research must test safety, dosing and long-term effects.
Difficult words
- extracellular vesicle — small membrane packets released by cellsextracellular vesicles, EVs
- microrna — small RNA molecules that regulate genesmicroRNAs
- blood–brain barrier — layer of cells that protects the brain
- inflammasome — protein complex that triggers inflammation in cells
- oxidative stress — damage caused by reactive oxygen molecules
- reactivation — return to an active state after inactivity
- intranasal — given through the nose into the body
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Discussion questions
- What advantages could a noninvasive nasal spray have compared with risky procedures or long medication courses?
- What specific safety and dosing issues should researchers study before testing this therapy in people?
- If this approach worked in people, how might it change care for dementia or stroke recovery?
