Researchers from the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, led by Antonio del Sol at the University of Luxembourg, have developed a pioneering “brain aging clock.” Built on gene-expression profiles from brain tissue samples—spanning ages 20 to 97 from 778 individuals—this tool assesses biological age in neural tissues.

Using transcriptomics, the team assessed how gene activity shifts with age. By comparing these gene-expression signatures with patterns seen in youthful brains, they could evaluate treatments for their rejuvenating effects.

Applying the aging clock to human neurons and neural progenitor cells, the researchers screened a library of over 478 compounds capable of reversing age-related gene activity. From this group, three candidates stood out—5-azacytidine, tranylcypromine, and JNK-IN-8—which were tested in elderly mice.

When administered together, this drug combination produced encouraging results: aged mice displayed reduced anxiety-like behavior, modest memory improvements, and measurable rejuvenation of brain tissue at the gene-expression level.

This innovative approach demonstrates how a brain-specific aging clock, informed by real human gene data, can accelerate the discovery of rejuvenating therapies—potentially informing future interventions to counteract neurodegeneration and preserve cognitive health.

Summary Highlights

New brain aging clock developed using transcriptomic data from 778 human brains (ages 20–97).

High-throughput screening identified 478 compounds that shifted neural gene patterns toward a younger profile.

Top three drugs (5-azacytidine, tranylcypromine, JNK-IN-8) tested in aged mice yielded reduced anxiety, memory gains, and brain-tissue rejuvenation.

Significance: Offers a powerful platform to discover anti-aging drugs targeting brain health and cognitive longevity.