Leading specialists from the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) under the direction of Professor Brian Kennedy have presented new approaches to treating dementia. They focused their efforts not on the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease but on the underlying processes of biological aging, discovering that a natural compound regulating lifespan could become an effective remedy against this ailment.
The focus of their research was on calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (CaAKG), which is naturally produced in the human body but whose levels significantly decrease with age. The results of the experiments showed that restoring this molecule could significantly improve cognitive functions of the brain.
During the study, the scientists identified three main mechanisms of action for CaAKG:
1. Restoration of neural connections. This compound activates the restoration of synapses—microscopic "bridges" between neurons through which information is transmitted. The destruction of these connections is one of the main causes of memory deterioration.
2. Cellular cleansing. As we age, neurons accumulate protein "waste." CaAKG activates autophagy—a process that allows cells to recycle damaged components, helping the brain maintain cleanliness and health.
3. Restoration of associative connections. This substance restores the brain's ability to combine different fragments of information, which is critically important for everyday life, including remembering details of conversations and spatial orientation.
Unlike traditional medications that merely mask symptoms, this new method aims to enhance the overall resilience of the brain. The results of the study, published in the esteemed journal Aging Cell, open up prospects for developing therapies capable of making the nervous system less susceptible to age-related changes.
