Researchers learn more about the regenerative effects of umbilical cord blood every day. The most recent research into cord blood has found that it can restore some cognitive function in mice. The study looked into the mechanisms behind the regenerative effects of umbilical cord blood on the brain. The findings may help scientists slow cognitive decline in older people.
A decline in cognitive function is a normal part of getting older. The hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning, is one section of the brain that is heavily affected by age. That is why older people sometimes struggle to remember the names of people or find it difficult to learn new things.
Scientists have already discovered that blood from young animals can slow age-related cognitive decline in old animals. However, they were uncertain if the same results would occur in humans.
Researchers put the theory to the test in a recent study looking at the regenerative effects of umbilical cord blood on the brain. Details of this new study were published in the journal Nature.
The scientists began by collecting cord blood from newborn babies as well as blood plasma from elderly people and young people. They examined the samples to compare their contents.
They also performed experiments on elderly mice using the three kinds of blood to see what effect it had. They found that the regenerative effects of cord blood helped improve the cognitive function of the mice more than the other samples.
The researchers then examined the genes that were expressed by the hippocampi of the mice. They found that the mice treated with cord blood had an increase in production of genes associated with memory.
A protein called TIMP2 was also found in high quantities in the cord blood. Once the scientists artificially reduced TIMP2 levels in cord blood and gave it to elderly mice again, the regenerative effects of the transfusion were not as strong. This finding is important for understand the regenerative effects of umbilical cord plasma.
Source: Regenerative Effects of Human Umbilical Cord Plasma Treatment on the Brain
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