By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to exceed 1.5 billion worldwide. Understanding the aging process, and in particular the brain agingis therefore particularly important. Even more so given the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders, for which treatments still remain limited. For example, the WHO estimates that the number of people suffering from dementia should triple during this same period. Early detection of signs of brain aging could represent a key step in preventing these diseases.
Fortunately, scientific advances are making it possible to better and better understand this phenomenon. One of the latest? A Chinese study published on December 9, 2024 in the journal Nature Aging. The researchers identified 13 blood proteins directly associated with biological age of the brain. A discovery that allows us to better understand the biological mechanisms at play in brain aging, and to identify key periods where interventions could be most effective.
Blood proteins as markers of brain aging
Traditionally, the biological age of the brain was estimated using algorithms based on brain imaging. These technologies measure parameters such as brain volume or surface area. However, proteins present in the blood offer a promising new avenue.
The team of researchers, led by Wei Cheng, used multimodal brain imaging data from 10,949 healthy adults aged 45 to 82 to study potential indicators of brain aging. They also analyzed the concentration of around 3,000 proteins in the blood plasma of almost 4,696 individuals using data from the UK Biobank. They thus identified thirteen proteins closely associated with biological aging of the brain, including Brevican (BCAN) and GDF15two biomarkers also linked to pathologies such as dementia, stroke and motor skills disorders.
Pivotal ages for the brain: 57, 70 and 78 years old
The study reveals that the concentrations of these proteins evolve along distinct trajectories, forming three major peaks at 57, 70 and 78 years old. These ages could correspond to biological transitions in human brain health, opening a window of opportunity for targeted interventions.
A promising discovery… which requires additional research
These discoveries on proteins linked to brain aging mark an essential step in understanding the biological mechanisms of the brain. They open the way to new therapeutic and preventive approachesparticularly for neurodegenerative disorders. With additional research, these biomarkers could one day become essential tools for monitoring and preserving brain health throughout life.
Although these results are promising, the authors emphasize that their data are mainly based on individuals of European origin and elderly. Additional studies will be necessary to verify whether these protein markers are applicable to other ethnic groups and to younger populations.
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