Restoring brain protein Menin reverses age-related changes in mice
Researchers found that declining levels of the brain protein Menin are linked to inflammation, cognitive decline, weaker bones, and thinner skin in mice. Restoring Menin reversed several age-related changes, while the amino acid D-serine improved cognition, suggesting a potential target for healthy aging.
The study centered on the ventromedial hypothalamus, a region governing metabolic regulation, where Menin levels declined specifically in neurons rather than in supporting glial cells. Using conditional knockout mice, researchers demonstrated that removing Menin in younger animals triggered hypothalamic inflammation and accelerated multiple aging markers, including reduced bone density, skin thinning, and shortened lifespan.
Menin's influence on cognition appears tied to its regulation of an enzyme controlling D-serine production, an amino acid essential for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. The article notes that dietary serine exists primarily as L-serine, which the body can convert to D-serine, though the distinction between supplement forms and food sources requires careful interpretation.
This research could reshape how aging is understood, potentially shifting focus toward brain-centered mechanisms that influence whole-body decline. If replicated in humans, Menin-related pathways may offer targets for interventions addressing cognitive and physical aging simultaneously. Older adults experiencing age-related conditions could benefit from future therapies, though significant translational work remains. The findings may also inform discussions about D-serine supplements, though their practical value for human cognition remains uncertain and requires clinical validation.