University of Washington researchers have learned how to temporarily stop seasonal (natural) cell-death processes in birds by inhibiting enzymes called capases.

Neurons used for singing during the mating season die off after the season is over. When the researchers used hormones to inhibit the capases, the song-control regions of the bird’s brains were preserved.

Since cell-death mechanisms are similar across species, the research could lead to new methods to help with degenerative and age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s. The inhibitors could also be used to stabilize people who have suffered a stroke.