Researchers at Texas A&M University say they may have found a way to do just that with a simple nasal spray designed to reduce inflammation in the brain. In a new study, scientists reported that the treatment restored memory, reduced chronic inflammation and improved brain cell function after just two doses.
The researchers believe their findings could eventually lead to new treatments for conditions associated with aging and cognitive decline, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists have known for years that aging brains often experience persistent low-level inflammation, a process known as “neuroinflammation.” This chronic inflammation can interfere with memory, thinking, and the brain’s ability to adapt to new situations. It is also thought to be a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases.
Now, researchers say the process may not be permanent after all.
The study was led by Dr. Ashok Shetty, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of the University’s Institute of Regenerative Medicine, along with Senior Investigators Dr. Madhu Leelavati Narayana and Dr. Mahidhar Kodali. Their findings were published in the Journal of Extracular Vesicles.
“Diseases associated with brain aging, such as dementia, are a major health concern around the world,” Shetty said. “What we are showing is that it is possible to reverse brain aging so that people are mentally sharp, socially engaged, and less susceptible to age-related decline.”
How the experimental nasal spray works
This treatment relies on microscopic biological particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs). These small structures naturally transport genetic material between cells. In this case, it was loaded with microRNAs, molecules that help regulate important biological processes in the brain.
“MicroRNAs act like master regulators,” Narayana says. “They help regulate and control many genes and signaling pathways in the brain.”
The researchers administered EVs through a nasal spray, allowing the therapeutic to bypass the brain’s protective barrier and directly reach brain tissue.
“The delivery method is one of the most interesting aspects of our approach,” Kodali says. “Intranasal delivery allows us to reach and treat the brain directly without invasive procedures.”
Once in the brain, the treatment targeted immune cells involved in chronic inflammation. According to the researchers, the treatment suppressed inflammatory systems, including the NLRP3 inflammasome and the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, which are strongly associated with age-related brain inflammation.
Restores brain cellular energy
This treatment did more than just reduce inflammation.
Scientists have also discovered that it restores the activity of mitochondria, small structures within cells that are responsible for energy production. When mitochondria are damaged by aging and inflammation, brain cells become less efficient and more susceptible to decline.
By improving mitochondrial function, this treatment may help restore brain cells’ ability to process and store information.
“By reducing oxidative stress and reactivating the brain’s mitochondria, we are restoring sparkle to neurons,” Narayana said.
Improvements were not limited to biological measurements. Behavioral tests showed that the treated model performed significantly better on memory and recognition tasks. They were more successful in identifying familiar objects, recognizing novel objects, and detecting changes in their surroundings compared to untreated controls.
“We’re seeing the brain’s own repair systems turning on, healing inflammation and healing itself,” Shetty said.
Perhaps most notably, the effects were immediate and lasted for several months after just two doses.
Dementia and its potential impact on brain health
The researchers believe this approach could eventually have wide-ranging medical applications.
“As we develop and scale up this treatment, a simple two-dose nasal spray could one day replace invasive and dangerous procedures, or even months of medication,” Shetty said.
The findings could be particularly important as dementia rates continue to rise. In the United States, the annual number of people with dementia is expected to increase from approximately 514,000 in 2020 to approximately 1 million by 2060.
“This trend points to the urgent need for policies and innovative interventions that can minimize both the risk and severity of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia,” Shetty said.
The study also found that both genders had similar treatment responses, which the researchers said is relatively uncommon in biomedical research.
“It’s universal,” Shetty said. “Treatment results were consistent and similar for men and women.”
In the future, this treatment could help restore brain function in stroke patients and slow the decline in cognitive function associated with aging.
“Our approach redefines what it means to grow old,” Shetty said. “Our goal is to successfully age the brain – to keep people engaged, attentive and connected. Not just to live longer, but to live smarter and healthier,” Shetty said.
New directions in brain aging research
The research was supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the research team has already filed for a U.S. patent on the treatment.
Shetty said the goal is not only to understand the biology behind brain aging, but also to develop treatments that will ultimately benefit patients.
“We’re not just trying to understand biological mechanisms, we’re translating and developing our discoveries into real-world treatments that have the potential to make a difference,” Shetty said.
Additional research is still needed before the therapy can be tested in humans, but the study suggests a surprising possibility: Brain aging may not just be an inevitable part of aging.
“Our partnership with the NIA is very important,” Shetty said. “This type of work requires resources and the right people to tackle problems and develop solutions that can change lives.”
