The blood of young people improves memory, cognitive skills and muscle strength of the elderly. Head effect is the GDF11 protein, but there are still no human studies.

Through a series of experiments that evoke the atmosphere of Gothic novels and science fiction films, two groups of US researchers have shown - in mice - that infuse the blood of young people into the circulatory system of older specimens allows to rejuvenate the body and mind .

The studies, published in the journals Nature Medicine and Science, analyzed in particular mnemonic and cognitive function, muscle strength and perception of odors. All of these capabilities and the structure of certain key areas of the brain and the muscles, were the best in the older animals, when their circulatory system had been joined together, surgically, with that of juveniles, so that the blood of the latter circulated also in the first. However, this intervention was damaging rather young, that altogether appeared aged.

A drug? In experiments conducted in recent years, GDF11 had already shown itself capable of rejuvenating the heart. Researchers at Harvard University, in collaboration with a biotech company, are now studying techniques that could afford to use it as a drug, and want to test it on humans to see if it can slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.

From Focus