Three ways of rejuvenating aging brains may work via the same protein

The molecule may be a promising therapy but exactly how it works is unclear

Side-by-side of stained microscope images showing brains of old mice, where scientists found that age-related inflammation (stained green and yellow) in immune cells was prevalent in untreated mice (left) but was greatly reduced in mice treated with PF4 (right).

Inflammation in the brain can happen with age. In the brains of old mice, scientists found that age-related inflammation (stained green and yellow) in immune cells was prevalent in untreated mice (left) but was greatly reduced in mice treated with PF4 (right).

Adam B. Schroer

A single molecule may play a central role in rejuvenating aging brains, albeit in different ways, new research suggests.