As people grow older, it’s common to notice small changes in memory or thinking speed. Forgetting names, misplacing items, or struggling to recall information are often seen as natural parts of aging.
But scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus may have found a key reason why these changes happen in the brain—and it all comes down to one specific protein.
The protein is called CaMKII (short for calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II), and it plays a major role in learning and memory. In a new study published in the journal Science Signaling, researchers showed that when this protein is changed in a certain way, it can cause memory and learning problems very similar to those seen in normal aging.
Led by Professor Ulli Bayer and his research team, the study focused on a process called S-nitrosylation. This is a natural chemical reaction in the body where a molecule called nitric oxide attaches to proteins, helping them function properly. As we get older, the level of nitric oxide in our bodies goes down, and this leads to a drop in S-nitrosylation. One of the proteins affected is CaMKII.
When S-nitrosylation of CaMKII is reduced, it stops working as well in the brain. The team discovered that this alone is enough to interfere with synaptic plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form new connections and store memories.
In experiments with mice, the researchers were able to mimic this process and found that the animals had memory problems similar to those seen with normal aging.
“This change in the CaMKII protein is enough to cause the same kinds of memory problems we see as people get older,” Professor Bayer explained.
The good news is that this discovery might open the door to new treatments that can help maintain memory and thinking skills in older adults. Because CaMKII can be targeted with medicine, scientists believe it might be possible to develop drugs that improve or restore its function by boosting S-nitrosylation.
This kind of treatment wouldn’t be a cure for more serious brain diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia, but it could help slow down or reduce the normal memory problems that come with age. As Professor Bayer put it, “We know this protein can be targeted. And we think it could be done pharmacologically. That is the next logical step.”
So, what does this mean for the future? If researchers are able to develop medications that improve CaMKII function, we could see new ways to protect the brain from everyday age-related decline. This might help more people stay mentally sharp for longer.
In the meantime, keeping your brain healthy is still important. Activities like regular exercise, staying socially active, getting enough sleep, and eating brain-friendly foods rich in antioxidants have all been linked to better brain health.
New research also shows that certain foods may reduce the risk of brain blood vessel problems, and some daily habits may even protect against Alzheimer’s.
While more studies are needed before treatments based on this new discovery become available, it’s a hopeful step forward in understanding why our brains change with age—and how we might be able to slow it down.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about the likely cause of Alzheimer’s disease, and new non-drug treatment that could help prevent Alzheimer’s.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about diet that may help prevent Alzheimer’s, and results showing some dementia cases could be prevented by changing these 12 things.
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