Researchers Identify 64 Genes Linked to Brain Aging, Paving the Way for Anti-Aging Therapies

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have identified 64 genes that influence the rate of brain aging in humans. The findings, recently published in the journal Science Advances, also highlight 13 potential anti-aging drug candidates that have already been explored in clinical trials and may target these genes.

The research team aimed to uncover new strategies to slow brain aging by analyzing genetic data. They employed deep learning models to analyze brain scans from 38,961 individuals in the UK Biobank database, calculating the difference between predicted brain age and actual chronological age—a measure referred to as the Brain Age Gap (BAG). This metric served as an indicator of brain aging.

Subsequently, the researchers analyzed genetic data from 31,520 healthy participants to identify which genes contribute to differences in BAG. By integrating gene activity data from both blood cells and brain tissue, they pinpointed 64 genes significantly associated with BAG. Several of these genes are involved in blood coagulation and cell death processes, with seven showing the strongest associations with brain aging.

The study also identified 466 chemical compounds that target 29 of these BAG-related genes and may help reverse brain aging. Among them, 13 compounds target either the genes or their protein products and have already been tested or are currently undergoing clinical trials for their anti-aging potential.

This research represents a significant step toward developing gene-targeted therapies to mitigate brain aging. However, further experimental validation is required. Additionally, since most study participants were of European ancestry, it remains uncertain whether the findings are generalizable to more genetically diverse populations.