Researchers from Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Cedars-Sinai, Beth Israel Deaconess, and the Marcus Institute for Aging Research report encouraging news: the senolytic treatment combining dasatinib and quercetin (together known as D+Q) is safe and well-tolerated by older adults experiencing early memory and mobility issues.

The Role of Senolytics in Aging

As we age, certain cells enter a senescent state—essentially “zombie cells” that no longer function properly and release harmful inflammatory substances into tissues. These cells accumulate over time and contribute to aging-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Senolytics are compounds that target and eliminate these senescent cells, potentially reducing inflammation and improving overall health.

Study Design: A Small but Insightful Pilot

This study, known as STAMINA (“Senolytics To Alleviate Mobility Issues and Neurological Impairments in Aging”), involved just 12 participants—individuals over age 65 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and slowed walking speed, both indicators of increased Alzheimer’s risk.

Over 12 weeks:

Participants took 100 mg dasatinib and 1,250 mg quercetin for 2 consecutive days, followed by 12 days off — totaling six dosing cycles.

The goal was to assess feasibility and safety, with secondary observations on cognition, mobility, and inflammatory markers.

Safety First: No Serious Side Effects

The D+Q treatment was well tolerated—with no serious adverse events reported, indicating that this intermittent dosing schedule could be safe even in vulnerable populations.

Early Hints of Cognitive Benefit

Though the study was small and primarily designed to gauge safety, the findings offered a glimmer of hope:

Some participants, particularly those with the lowest initial cognitive scores, saw a modest improvement (around 2 points) on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Scientists also observed reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)—a pro-inflammatory biomarker—in the blood, which correlated with the improved MoCA scores.

Dr. Courtney L. Millar, the study’s lead author, emphasized that while the results are encouraging, the small sample size means the findings could be due to chance, and more research is essential.

What This Means Going Forward

This preliminary research indicates that senolytic treatment using D+Q is feasible and generally safe for older adults at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, there are promising signs that it could help reduce inflammation and perhaps even boost cognitive function—though such benefits remain speculative until confirmed in larger, controlled trials.