Scientists Reverse Nerve Cell Aging with Drugs

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source: bhNEWS

From Advance for Audiologists, a feature story

Scientists Reverse Nerve Cell Aging with Drugs :

Someday doctors may help the elderly by reversing brain-cell aging that
causes some health issues.

In a study of monkeys in the May 2 issue of the journal Science,
scientists from the University of Utah and from China report they were able to
reverse age-related deterioration of nerve cells in the brain's visual cortex
for several minutes when they administered a neurotransmitter named GABA
(gamma-aminobutyric acid) or a similar chemical named muscimol.

Their research suggests that by boosting levels of brain chemicals to
squelch excess transmission of nerve signals, doctors someday may be able to
help elderly people by reversing brain-cell aging that can cause declines in
hearing, vision, memory and other cognitive and motor skills.

"The ramifications of this are to correct brain degradation in the
elderly. That is significant to every human being," said Audie Leventhal, PhD,
chief author of the study and a professor of neurobiology and anatomy at the
University of Utah School of Medicine.

Tranquilizers known as benzodiazepines-a group that includes brands such
as ValiumT, XanaxT, LibriumT and AtivanT-increase GABA levels in the brain.
Because brain levels of GABA play a role in several "higher" brain
functions-such as interpreting what we see and hear, memory formation and the
control of movement-future research should investigate whether tranquilizers or
other GABA-enhancing medicines might help reverse a variety of declining
abilities caused by brain deterioration in the elderly, said Dr. Leventhal.

For the full story:
http://www.advanceforaud.com/Common/Editorial/Editorial.aspx?CC=19850