Scientists believe that they have found a possible answer to the question why women live, on average, five years older than men and are less affected by severe cognitive decline and heart problems.
Chromosome X The key to women’s longevity compared to men according to collage researchers
A new study suggests that the secret of female longevity could stand in an unexpected biological mechanism: With the old age, the X chromosome “Sleeping” of women reactivates and helps protect the brain.
Unlike men, who have only one X chromosome, women are born with two, but one of them is deactivated in the early stages of embryonic development. It was believed that this chromosome remains inactive throughout their lives, but researchers at the University of California discovered that, in the aged females of their study, the inactive X chromosome is “Wake up” and collaborates with the active one to produce an essential protein that protects the brain cells, as mentioned in The Telegraph.
Why women are longevive – a brain that ages slower
Prof. Dena Dubal, specialist in the aging process at UC San Francisco, explained: “We were surprised to discover that aging reactivates the inactive chromosome X in the hippocamp, the region BRAIN responsible for learning and memory ”.
Dubal emphasizes that women around the world not only live longer than men, but also experience a slower cognitive decline: “The biological clock of the female brain seems to bite slower than that of men. Our study suggests a possible reason for this increased resistance of female brain in the process of aging”.
Implications – Influence of X chromosome on health and essential proteins for brain
The discovery could have important implications on other conditions. “The reactivation of the X chromosome could explain the differences between sexes in multiple degenerative diseases and health conditions. We focused on brain, But what impact could this process have on the rest of the body? Could the cardiovascular disease or cancer influence? ”add Dubal.
The researchers noted that, once reactivated, the inactive X chromosome stimulates the production of a protein called PLP1, essential for myelin – a protective layer of neurons that allows the rapid transmission of information between the brain cells and plays a crucial role in learning and memory.
This discovery could open new research directions on how the brain ages and could lead to innovative treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
Prevention of cognitive decline: “the elderly brains are malleable”
When researchers have further stimulated the production of protein in the case of elderly mice, this improved their cognitive capacity, allowing them to explore and solve labyrinths, similar to young mice. The same effect was observed in male mice.
“More surprising was that this factor X, PLP1, improved cognitivity in the brain of males, showing that old brains are quite malleable and have the ability to function in the same way as young. This is a clear example in which the understanding of women’s specific biology can lead to new treatments for the female brain, but also to the male. Our research suggests that we could all benefit from more factor X ”, explained Prof. Dubal.
What factors influence brain aging: the differences between the sexes, the ignored key
The study was published in a special number of magazine Science Advancesdedicated to women’s health.
In this context, the researchers stressed that medicine and science have often neglected the impact of sex differences, although there are major variations in the biological processes of men and women.
During the launch of the Special Edition, Dr. Gillian Coughlan, neurology specialist at Harvard Medical School, said: “We know the disease alzheimer disproportionately affects womenwhile the disease Parkinson It affects men more often. “
She added: “However, we still know very little about how sexual biology, gender hormones and factors can explain these differences. Is surprising, especially that a better understanding of these MECHANISMS it could significantly contribute to improving the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of diseases ”.
Madeline Wood Alexander, PhD student at Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto University, stressed: “Repeatedly, the research has highlighted differences in the female and masculine sex in the biological mechanisms of the diseases that affect us the most. In order to be a good researcher, you must consider all the factors that influence the health and evolution of diseases. ”
