Scientists Discover Molecular Key to Boost Memory in Aging Brains
Memory decline may not be inevitable with age. Scientists at Virginia Tech have found that changes at the molecular level can weaken memory but adjusting them may actually boost brain function.
Unlocking the Science Behind Memory Loss
Dr. Timothy Jarome and his graduate team explored how certain brain molecules change over time. Using advanced gene-editing tools, they improved memory performance in older rats. These findings suggest that aging doesn’t automatically mean memory loss.
For example, in one study published in Neuroscience, researchers focused on a process called K63 polyubiquitination. This system helps brain cells communicate and store memories. However, aging disrupts this balance in key brain regions.
In the hippocampus, levels of this molecule rise, while in the amygdala, they drop. By fine-tuning these levels using CRISPR technology, the team restored memory performance in older rats. As a result, both emotional and factual memories improved.
Reactivating a Silent Memory Gene
In a second study, published in Brain Research Bulletin, the team examined the IGF2 gene, known to support memory formation. With age, this gene becomes “silenced.” Jarome’s team reactivated it using a gentle gene-editing tool, CRISPR-dCas9, which removed chemical tags that block its activity.
“When we switched the gene back on, older animals remembered much better,” Jarome explained. Interestingly, middle-aged rats without memory issues saw no change showing that timing matters in brain repair.
A Path Toward Future Treatments
Together, these studies highlight how multiple molecular systems shape brain aging. Understanding them could lead to new treatments for memory loss and diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Jarome praised his graduate researchers, noting their crucial role in designing and analyzing experiments. Supported by the National Institutes of Health and the American Federation for Aging Research, this work offers real hope.
“Some age-related changes can be corrected,” Jarome said. “That gives us a path forward.”
