Researchers map brain cell aging and reveal roles of T cells and neural stem cells

Researchers have created spatial aging clocks to study how brain cells age. This new method reveals that T cells accelerate aging in nearby cells, while neural stem cells help rejuvenate them. This contrasts with previous studies that lacked spatial context. The study analyzed brain samples from mice aged 3 to 34 months, mapping gene expression across various brain regions. It found that T cells increase with age and have a long-range pro-aging effect, while neural stem cells decrease and have localized rejuvenating effects. Additionally, the research tested interventions like exercise and partial reprogramming. Exercise showed significant rejuvenating effects on multiple cell types, while partial reprogramming mainly benefited neural stem cells. The findings enhance understanding of brain aging and potential therapeutic approaches.