Fitness of the brain aging processes measurable

Fitness of the brain: Aging processes measurable in future on the basis of the lactic acid level

A Swedish-German research team has determined that one can measure the aging process of the brain on the basis of the lactic acid level. The lactic acid level rises before other symptoms of aging appear and could thus serve as an indicator of aging and possible age-related diseases, the researchers said in the publication of their research findings in the journal „Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)“.

Milk acid level as indicator
In the study, the Swedish-German research team had observed the lactic acid level in the brain of mice to draw conclusions about the onset of the aging process. As in the current article of the „PNAS“ The researchers described the metabolic processes in the brain of normal and genetically engineered mice, which were prone to premature aging. Thus, the experts could prove experimentally that even before the appearance of the first typical signs of aging, such as hair loss, deafness or osteoporosis, the amount of lactic acid in the brains of mice significantly increased. Although the effect occurred earlier in the genetically modified mice, the unmodified animals showed the same increases in the lactic acid level - albeit with a time lag. „It is exciting to think that we have now come one step closer to understanding what happens when the brain ages.“ emphasized Prof. Lars Olson from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

In particular, the knowledge „how important changes in brain metabolism are for disease-related processes and diseases” could make it much easier to grasp brain fitness in the future. Because with the presented method, the aging process of the brain and the corresponding disease risk can be measured on the basis of the lactic acid level.

Damaged mitochondria increase lactic acid production
It has been suggested in the past that lactic acid levels may serve as an indication of brain aging, as damage to the mitochondria results in a transformation of the metabolic pathway to produce more lactic acid. The mitochondria present in almost all human cells act as tiny ones „Energy power plants“, by providing the cell with the high-energy molecule adenosine triphosphate. In case of malfunction of „Energy power plants“ Neurogenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's can be the result, the result of previous studies. Once the mitochondria no longer function properly, the brain cells switched to an alternative metabolic pathway for energy production that causes increased lactic acid production, the researchers said. With increasing age of the brain, the damage of the mitochondria accumulate, the production of lactic acid increases and the traces show in the brain, according to Prof. Olson. Therefore, the lactic acid level provides a good indication of the aging processes in the brain and the corresponding disease risk.

Aging process clearly proven for the first time
For the first time, the scientists were able to clearly demonstrate the process described in the more detailed analysis of the metabolism in mouse brains. So had damaged „Cellular power plants“ (Mitochondria) result in the cells using an oxygen-independent route (so-called glycolysis) for energy production. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the production of lactic acid, which accumulated in the brain of the mice, according to the statement of Jaime Ross of the Karolinska Institute and colleagues who are, inter alia, at the University of Cologne and the local Max Planck Institute. There is evidence that such a process not only in mice, but also in the brain of aging people, said the scientists in the „PNAS“-items.

Aging processes and disease risk easier to determine
If the same processes actually take place in the human brain, the lactic acid level could in future serve as an indicator of aging processes in the brain and the associated disease risk. Since the lactic acid level already rises before the aging symptoms actually occur, the aging of the brain could soon be diagnosed very early and, if necessary, be treated with appropriate countermeasures. The lactic acid level also offers the advantage that, unlike other signs of aging, it can be determined easily and painlessly for the patient with the aid of a nuclear spin tomography-like method. In view of her results, Prof. Olson was confident: „We hope that the doctor can once perform a brain check-up and determine the actual age of the brain.” Prevention is the alpha and omega especially in the case of diseases that occur more frequently in old age, such as the various forms of dementia or Parkinson's disease, since there are no possibilities for healing. Here, such a brain check-up would alert the affected person to an increased risk of illness at an early stage and give them more leeway in preventing it. (fp, 03.11.2010)

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Picture: A. Rausch