Genetic Damage And The Aging Brain

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The Life Extension Foundation News discusses research into genetic damage and aging in the brain. "Genes that play a role in learning and memory were among those most significantly reduced in the aging human cortex. These include genes that are required for communication between neurons. These genes are unusually vulnerable to damage from agents such as free radicals and toxins in the environment. The brain's ability to cope with these toxic insults and repair these genes declines with age, leading to their reduced expression." Where aging is directly associated with genetic changes, as here, scientists see the possibility of working towards regenerative gene therapies.

Link: http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=657&Section=AGING