Maternal X chromosome linked to faster brain aging in female mice

New research from UC San Francisco shows that female mice with only a maternal X chromosome age their brains faster and experience more cognitive decline than those with both maternal and paternal X chromosomes. The study found that the maternal X chromosome accelerates aging in the hippocampus, a critical area for memory. Researchers used CRISPR technology to reactivate silenced genes on the maternal X, which improved memory in older mice. These findings suggest that the origin of the X chromosome may influence brain aging and cognitive health, potentially explaining differences in brain disease risk among women.