Reacción a "Study identifies proteins linked to brain ageing"

This paper published in Nature Aging identifies 13 proteins associated with brain ageing in humans related to stress, regeneration and inflammation. Changes in plasma concentrations of these proteins peak at specific ages: 57, 70 and 78 years, suggesting that these times could be key to possible interventions in the brain ageing process. The researchers determined the Brain Age Gap (BAG), an indicator of brain ageing. Among these proteins, Brevican (BCAN) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) stand out. BCAN and GDF15 levels were associated with dementia, stroke and motor function in addition to ageing. These findings show that protein concentrations change longitudinally, reflecting transitions in brain health at key ages.

The results of this paper have identified biomarkers in blood, the concentrations of which appear to peak at certain ages during ageing that are related to central nervous system processes. The results have focused on middle-aged and older adults. It is possible that a longitudinal analysis, even before the age of 40, could reveal even earlier markers. While the study covers about 11,000 individuals, the majority of participants were of European descent, which limits the generalisability of the results, so further studies in cohorts of other ethnicities would be very beneficial to learn about possible differences or specific markers. Furthermore, these markers are focused on proteins related to brain functions and its immunity, so this could be a partial representation of ageing-related events.

Previously, plasma markers related to ageing have already been identified. This study provides critical information on key moments along the ageing continuum, showing the need for future studies to address some limitations of the cohort used.