Scientists discover protein that turns young brains old

When researchers increased levels of an iron-storing protein called FTL1 in young mice's brains, they began showing memory problems typically seen only in old age. When scientists reduced FTL1 in the hippocampus of older mice — the brain's memory center — their cognitive function improved significantly.

This discovery by University of California San Francisco scientists reveals a key mechanism behind age-related cognitive decline.

The study, published in Nature Aging, reveals that FTL1 naturally accumulates in brain cells as mice age, disrupting the way neurons produce energy and impairing memory. 00:00/05:14 10

The team also discovered a potential intervention: supplementing with NADH, a molecule critical for cellular energy production, prevented FTL1's harmful effects on brain cell