The Brain Starts to Change at Age 40

June 11, 2004 | Source: Genome News Network

Researchers at Children’s Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical School report that aging brains show significant differences in the behavior of several groups of genes that are important for brain function and that may contribute to the aging process.

One group of the genes plays a role in “synaptic plasticity” — the ability of the brain to make new connections so critical to learning and memory. Another group of genes, involved in processes such as responses to stresses and defense against damaging oxidants such as free radicals, are turned on in the aging brain. The researchers found that regions of particular genes are quite vulnerable to DNA damage in the aging brain.

However, the researchers also found indications that the DNA damage could be reversed.