A group of researchers from the University of California (UCLA) conducted a revolutionary discovery in the field of longevity science. Their study, recently published in the journal The nature of communicationshows that gene modification in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) could extend its life by approximately 30%. This finding opens a new way to understand the cellular mechanisms of aging, especially with regard to the elimination of waste in the brain, a process that, when slowed down, affects cognitive health and shortens life span.

Scientists They focused their research on the F-actin proteina, present in the brain of fruit flies. Over time, this protein tends to accumulate, disrupting the autophagy process, which is necessary for cellular “cleaning”. The accumulation of waste affects brain function and overall health, which is also seen in people with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In the experiment, the scientists manipulated the gene that regulates the production of F-actin, thereby preventing its accumulation. The result was an increase in the flies’ longevity and an improvement in their brain health, a major advance in the field of longevity science.

While the findings are promising, Researchers insist they should be taken with a grain of salt. The fruit fly is a common model in genetic studies due to its simplicity and certain biological similarities to humans. However, the differences between the two species are significant and the effects observed in Drosophila they cannot be extrapolated directly to humans. Although autophagy and protein accumulation are also present in human aging, the processes at the cellular level are much more complex in our species, which represents one of the challenges for longevity science.

These types of studies on model organisms provides a solid foundation for understanding the biological mechanisms that regulate aging. However, translating this knowledge into interventions in humans presents technical and ethical challenges. Genetic manipulation to reduce the accumulation of F-actin could have unknown side effects on the human brain, and there is currently no conclusive evidence of how the human body would respond to a similar change. This highlights the caution with which these advances in longevity science must be approached.

Despite these limitations, researchers are optimistic. “This finding helps us better understand how cellular cleaning works in the brain and gives us a promising direction for future therapies that delay brain aging“, comment the authors of the study. While direct application in humans may take years, the study represents an important step in research into potential treatments for neurodegenerative and aging in general.

Finally, this discovery supports expectations in the scientific community that one day it will be possible to effectively and safely intervene in the aging process. Although there is still a long way to go, researchers believe that such studies are necessary to achieve a deeper understanding of the science of longevity.

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