A new study reveals that the human brain possesses the unique ability to regenerate its neurons into old age, challenging the long-held belief that the brain’s capacity for neurogenesis diminishes with age. This discovery was made possible through the development of a novel method that allows for the precise identification of young neurons in post-mortem human brain tissue.

The method, called FlashTag, utilises a fluorescent tag to mark newly formed neurons, making them easily identifiable. Using FlashTag, scientists were able to identify young neurons in the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory and learning, of individuals aged up to 87 years.

The study also found that the rate of neurogenesis in the human brain is comparable to that in the brains of middle-aged mice. This finding contradicts previous research suggesting that neurogenesis in humans is significantly lower than in rodents.

These findings hold significant implications for our understanding of the human brain, potentially paving the way for new treatments for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The study’s results also underscore the importance of developing more accurate methods for studying the human brain, as current techniques may not fully capture its complexity and capacity for regeneration.

Go to source article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-42875-2