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🧠 Aging often brings memory loss and cognitive decline—but a groundbreaking new study from UCSF may have found a way to turn back the clock.Researchers identified a single protein—FTL1—as a key driver of brain aging. In older mice, levels of FTL1 were much higher in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. These mice showed fewer neural connections, sluggish brain cell metabolism, and poor memory performance.The surprise? When scientists artificially increased FTL1 in young mice, their brains started to age prematurely. But when they blocked FTL1 in old mice, the effects were dramatic: the animals regained youthful brain function, formed stronger neural connections, and performed better on memory tests.What’s more, FTL1 doesn’t just affect memory—it also slows metabolism inside brain cells. However, this effect could be reversed with a metabolic-stimulating compound, pointing to multiple paths for intervention.“This is truly a reversal of impairments—not just a delay,” said Dr. Saul Villeda, senior author of the study published in Nature Aging. He believes FTL1 may be a “master switch” for cognitive aging—and targeting it could pave the way for therapies that restore memory and brain vitality in humans.🔬 While it’s still early days, this discovery offers real hope that we may one day reverse cognitive decline—not just manage it.Follow Science Sphere for regular scientific updates 📄 RESEARCH PAPER 📌 Laura Remesal et al, "Targeting iron-associated protein Ftl1 in the brain of old mice improves age-related cognitive impairment.", Nature Aging (2025)