REBOOT trial beta blockers heart attack

REBOOT Trial Challenges Four Decades of Beta Blocker Use in Heart Attack Patients

For over 40 years, beta blockers have been prescribed as standard therapy for patients recovering from heart attacks. Considered a cornerstone of post-infarction care, these drugs were widely believed to improve survival, prevent future cardiac events and protect overall heart health.

But groundbreaking results from the REBOT Trial, presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Madrid and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, reveal a stunning reality: patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction and normal heart function gain no clinical benefit from beta blockers.

The landmark discovery has the potential to reshape international guidelines and change how doctors worldwide treat heart attack patients.

What is the REBOOT Trial?

The REBOOT (Randomized Evaluation of Beta-blocker Outcomes after Myocardial Infarction without Reduced Ejection Fraction) trail is the largest stud ever conducted to evaluate the necessity of beta blockers in modern heart attack care.

• Led by: Dr. Valentin Fuster, President of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and General Director at Spain's CNIC, with Principal Investigator Dr. Borja Ibáñez, Scientific Director of CNIC.
• Scale: 8,505 patients from 109 hospitals in Spain and Italy.
• Design: Patients were randomly assigned to either continue beta blocker therapy or discontinue it after discharge.
• Follow-up: A median of 3.7 years under modern standard-of-care treatment for heart attacks.

Key Findings

• No difference in risk of death, recurrent heart attack or hospitalization for heart failure between patients on beta blockers and those not receiving them.
• Women taking beta blockers with normal heart function showed a 2.7% higher absolute risk of death compared to those who did not.
• Men exhibited no increased risks.

Why These Results Are Revolutionary

For decades, beta blockers were considered a must-prescribe medication for heart attack patients. Their role in reducing oxygen demand and preventing arrhythmias justified their use. However, advances in cardiovascular medicine—such as rapid revascularization, stenting and improved drug therapies—have drastically reduced the long-term complications once prevented by beta blockers.

The Paradigm Shift

"Medicine has advanced," explains Dr. Ibáñez. "Blocked arteries are now treated quickly and effectively, limiting severe complications. This means the argument for prescribing beta blockers in all heart attack patients is weaker today than in the past."

Gender-Specific Risks Revealed

A substudy of the REBOOT trial, published in the European Heart Journal, shed light on sex-based differences:

Women: Faced greater risks of death, repeat heart attack or hospitalization for heart failure when prescribed beta blockers, if their heart function was normal (ejection fraction  ≥50%).

Men: Showed no such additional risk.

This raises critical questions about personalizing cardiovascular treatments and avoiding a "one-size-fits-all" approach.

Comparison With Other Landmark Trials

The REBOOT trial is part of a growing body of research from CNIC and Mount Sinai that has reshaped global cardiovascular care.

• SECURE Trial: Demonstrated that a single polypill combining aspirin, ramipril and atorvastatin reduced cardiovascular events by 33% in heart attack survivors.
• DapaTAVI Trial: Showed that SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin, empagliflozin) improved prognosis in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter valve implantation.

Together, these studies mark a shift toward simplified, effective, evidence-driven therapy.

The Problem With Beta Blockers

While generally safe, beta blockers are not free of side effects. Patients may experience:

• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Impaired sexual function
• Dizziness and depression

For decades, these side effects were tolerated under the belief that the drugs saved lives. The REBOOT findings challenge this long-held assumption.

How the Trial Was Conducted

The strength of REBOOT lies in its robust, independent design:

• 8,505 patients enrolled across Spain and Italy
• Random allocation to beta blocker continuation or discontinuation
• All received state-of-the-art standard care including angioplasty, stents and evidence-based therapies.
• Followed for nearly four years.

Importantly, the trial was independent of pharmaceutical industry funding - ensuring unbiased results.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Valentin Fuster highlighted the global implications:

"The results will alter international guidelines. Along with other landmark trials, this research has changed global cardiovascular approaches."

Dr. Borja  Ibáñez emphasized the practical impact:

"Over 80% of patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction leave hospital on beta blockers. REBOOT proves that for many, this therapy is unnecessary. These findings represent one of the most important advances in heart attack care for decades."

What This Means for Patients

Immediate Implications

patients with normal heart function after a heart attack may not need to take beta blockers long-term.

Women, in particular, may need more careful risk-benefit assessment before continuing therapy.

Future Outlook

These findings will likely influence global guidelines in the coming years, changing prescribing habits for cardiologists worldwide. It also opens the door for:

• More individualized treatment strategies
• Reduction in polypharmacy burdens (patients taking multiple drugs unnecessarily)
• Improved quality of life by eliminating drugs with no proven benefit

Why Revisiting Old Drugs Matters

Medicine often focuses on testing new treatments, but the REBOOT trial shows the importance of re-examining established practices.

"Beta blockers became routine early on because they worked in a different era," says Dr.  Borja Ib áñez. "But with today's advances, their universal use is no longer justified."

By re-evaluating long-accepted drugs, researchers can:

• Reduce unnecessary prescriptions
• Minimize harmful side effects
• Streamline care to what truly benefits patients

A New Era in Heart Attack Care

The REBOOT trial has challenged decades of medical orthodoxy, showing that beta blockers provide no benefit for patients with uncomplicated heart attacks and preserved heart function.

This discovery is more than a scientific curiosity - it will reshape global treatment guidelines, improve patient care and encourage doctors to question long-standing but outdated practices.

As cardiology moves forward, REBOOT underscores a critical message: better science leads to better medicine.

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"The REBOOT trial challenges decades of heart attack treatment practice. Stay informed with more medical breakthroughs - explore our latest health scientific discoveries and research updates today!"

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dna aptamer record atp binding affinity diagnostics therapeutics

DNA Aptamer Breakthrough: Record-High ATP Binding Affinity Unlocks Future in Diagnostics & Therapeutics

DNA aptamers have emerged as powerful molecular tools with wide-ranging applications in biosensing, bioimaging and therapeutic development. Despite their promise, limited knowledge of their three-dimensional structures and binding interactions has historically restricted their optimization and broader application in real-world medicine.

Among aptamer targets, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—the central metabolite in cellular energy processes—has been of particular interest. Recently, researchers have made a significant breakthrough in designing an aptamer with the strongest binding affinity for ATP ever recorded.

The Rising Role of DNA Aptamers

DNA aptamers are short, single-stranded oligonucleotides that fold into unique shapes, enabling them to bind tightly and specifically to target molecules. This makes them attractive alternatives to antibodies in:

• Medical diagnostics
• Drug delivery systems
• Molecular imaging

However, optimizing aptamers requires detailed knowledge of their tertiary structures, which has long been a scientific challenge.

Explore related insights on how molecular innovations are transforming healthcare on Human Health Issues.

ATP: A Prime Target for Aptamer Research

ATP fuels nearly every biological process, from muscle contraction to neurotransmission, making it a critical molecule for life. Because of its importance, scientists have sought to create aptamers that can bind ATP with high precision and stability.

Earlier studies identified a DNA aptamer known as 1301b, which binds ATP with a dissociation constant (KD) of ~2.5 µM. While promising, the precise structural mechanizm of how ATP is recognized remained unclear, limiting efforts toward rational engineering.

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Breakthrough Research in Aptamer Structure

A paper published in PNAS by researchers led by Prof. Tan Weihong, Prof. Han Da and Prof. Guo Pei at the Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, revealed groundbreaking findings.

By resolving the tertiary structure of a DNA aptamer-ATP 1:1 binding complex, the team covered the mechanism of ATP recognition and engineered a new DNA aptamer with submicromolar KD (~0.7 µM)—the strongest ATP-binding affinity recorded to date.

The "L"-Shaped Structure Discovery

Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), researchers examined a truncated variant, 1301b_v1, in complex with ATP.

Key findings include:

• The aptamer forms an "L"-shaped configuration.
• ATP intercalates into a binding pocket created by two internal loops.
• Binding is stabilized through hydrogen bonding with guanine and stacking interactions with adjacent bases.

This structural insight represents a major step in understanding molecular recognition mechanisms.

Role of Magnesium Ions

Interestingly, the study highlighted the role of Mg²⁺ ions in stabilizing the binding structure. These ions help counteract the negative charges on phosphate groups, enabling the aptamer to assume a semi-folded, stable configuration.

This adaptive recognition process shown how DNA can achieve remarkable versatility in molecular binding, a property long underestimated in nucleic acid chemistry.

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Engineering a Stronger ATP Aptamer

To further optimize the aptamer, the researchers introduced 2'-O-methyl modifications into critical residues at the central junction. This modification resulted in:

• Enhanced binding affinity (~0.7 µM KD).
• Reduced dependence on Mg²⁺ ions.
• Maintained high selectivity for ATP over other nucleotides. 

Such refinements are crucial for creating aptamers that function effectively in real-world diagnostic and therapeutic settings.

Why This Discovery Matters

This work illustrates several key advancements:

1. DNA's hidden potential to fold into intricate tertiary structures.
2. A New benchmark for ATP-binding affinity among DNA aptamers.
3. Pathways for medical application, including biosensors, energy metabolizm studies and targeted therapies.

Applications and Future Potential

Medical Diagnostics

With high ATP-binding affinity, DNA aptamers can help design portable biosensors for real-time monitoring of cellular energy processes.

Therapeutics

The study opens the door for aptamers that selectively interact with ATP in disease pathways, offering potential treatments for cancer, metabolic disorders and neurological conditions.

Biotechnology and Energy Research

Beyond medicine, these aptamers can aid in biotechnology and nanotechnology, where ATP serves as both a signal molecule and an energy unit.

Stay updated with the latest scientific innovations on FSNews365.

The discovery of a record-setting DNA aptamer for ATP binding marks a transformative moment in molecular research. By decoding its tertiary structure, ion interactions and modified variants, scientists have paved the way for next generation bisensing, imaging and therapeutic technologies.

This study not only demonstrates DNA's underestimated structural potential but also underscores the value of aptamer engineering in addressing real-world challenges in medicine and biotechnology.

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Hidden Hip Problems survey reveals warning signs

Hidden Hip Problems: Survey Finds Most Americans Overlook Key Warning Signs of Joint Trouble

Ignoring the Warning Signs of Hip Trouble

Struggling to bend down and slip on your shoes? Feeling pain in your knees, groin thigh or back?

These discomforts may seem harmless or linked to ageing, but experts warn they could signal underlying hip problems.

A new survey conducted by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reveals that many Americans fail to recognize the connection between everyday pain and hip health.

• 72% did not know knee pain could stem from the hip.
• 69% overlooked groin pain as a possible hip-related issue.
• 66% ignored thigh discomfort as a potential warning sign.

These findings highlight a widespread knowledge gap that could delay treatment and worsen long-term health outcomes.

What the Survey Found

The survey, conducted by SSRS through its Opinion Panel Omnibus, included 1,004 adults across the United States, Results showed:

• 71% of Americans recognized a "Catching" or clicking sound in the hip as a possible sign of trouble.
• 59% linked hip problems to difficulty bending or tying shoes.
• 53% connected hip issues with lower back pain.
• 45% experienced hip-related night pain or sleep disruption.
• 31% reported groin pain, while 28% associated hip problems with knee pain.

Despite these symptoms, four in ten respondents admitted they "Push through" unexplained pain and more than half (52%) rely on over-the-counter remedies rather than seeking medical help.

"Patients often come to me with knee pain," explained Dr. Matthew Beal, an orthopaedic surgeon at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

"On examination, hip rotation typically produces discomfort. X-rays are then used to assess arthritis in the hip and determine whether replacement surgery might be appropriate."

Why Americans Overlook Hip Pain

Common Misconceptions

One major reason hip pain goes unnoticed is that it often radiates to other areas of the body. People assume the pain is coming from the knee, thigh or lower back, when in fact the root cause may be the hip joint itself.

This misconception contributes to delayed diagnosis and can increase the risk of long-term joint damage.

for more on how pain in one part of the body can signal deeper problems, visit Human Health Issues where health experts explore similar overlooked warning signs.

The Mentality of "Pushing Through"

The survey also revealed a cultural trend of ignoring pain. Many people associate aches with ageing and prefer to tolerate discomfort rather than consult a doctor.

However, specialists stress that early intervention can prevent chronic conditions. Untreated hip arthritis for example, may lead to mobility issues, sleep disruption and reduced quality of life.

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Hip Replacement Surgery: Easier Than You Think

A Simple and Effective Solution

Many people fear hip replacement surgery, imagining long recovery times and painful rehabilitation. In reality, the procedure is one of the easiest orthopaedic surgeries to recover from.

"While hip replacement surgery may seem intimidating, it is in face one of the simplest operations to recover from," said Dr. Beal.

"For many patients, simply getting up and walking afterwards provides sufficient physiotherapy."

Life After Hip Replacement

Patients often report dramatic improvements in their mobility and quality of life after surgery. Activities like walking, tying shoes or even sleeping without pain become achievable again.

To explore more medical innovations and recovery stories, check out FSNews365, which features the latest updates in science, technology and health research.

When to Seek Help for Hip Pain

Key Warning Signs

Medical experts recommend seeking professional evaluation if you notice:

• Difficulty bending, tying shoes or walking.
• Clicking or catching sensations in the hip.
• Persistent knee, thigh or groin pain without clear cause.
• Pain that worsens at night or disrupts sleep.

Don't Delay Diagnosis

Getting an early diagnosis can mean the difference between simple physiotherapy and major surgery. Specialists at Ohio State emphasize the importance of not self-medicating or ignoring pain.

For more health insights and patient awareness campaigns, visit Human Health Issues where you'll find resources on recognizing early signs of illness.

Survey Methodology

The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus survey was conducted between 6 and 9 June 2025 with a nationally representative sample of 1,004 adults. Data collection included:

• 974 participants online.
• 30 participants via phone.
• Conducted in English.

The survey results carry a margin of error of +/-3.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Data were adjusted to reflect the U.S. adult population aged 18 years and older.

Final Thoughts: Listen to Your Body

Hip pain may not always present itself clearly — it can disguise itself as knee pain, thigh discomfort or back trouble. The survey from Ohio State highlights the urgent need for greater public awareness of these connections.

Ignoring symptoms or pushing through discomfort can cause further damage, but seeking medical help early can ensure effective treatment and a better quality of life.

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bioengineered naringenin molecule fights inflammation

UA Scientists Create Bioengineered Naringenin Molecule to Combat Inflammation and Boost Healing

Introduction

Researchers from the University of Alabama have devised a bioengineered molecule harnessing a natural compound to address and alleviate inflammation.

Naringenin: Natural Anti-Inflammatory and Absorption Challenges

Naringenin, a flavonoid occurring naturally in citrus fruits, is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Yet, the human body struggles to absorb it effectively from good or existing supplements. Typically, it begins to degrade in the stomach's acidic environment and what remains finds it difficult to pass through the intestinal wall into the blood. The University of Alabama researchers have now managed to harness its inflammation-combating potential.

Patented Drug Delivery Technique

Published in Science Advances, the research employs a patented technique devised by UA's Drug Research and Engineering for Advanced Medicine Laboratory.

Biodegradable Polymer Casing

This involves enclosing the drug within a biodegradable polymer casing, the surface of which is adorned with extra naringenin molecules acting as ligands, enabling them to bind with specialized receptors present on cell surfaces in the gut.

Ligand-Receptors Binding Discovery

Researchers at UA discovered that naringenin binds effectively as a ligand to a specific receptor type. These receptors act as entry points, permitting the medicine to pass through rather than excluding it.

"This marks the first occasion that a single molecule has been employed for both guidance and healing," explained Dr. Meenakshi Arora, associate professor at UA and principal investigator of the project. "Our dual-function nanoparticles enhance drug delivery while also reinstating immune balance and limiting tissue damage."

Significant Improvements Seen in Kidney Damage Trials

In a mouse model of acute kidney injury triggered by cisplatin, a widely used chemotherapy agent, the research team showed that their dual-action nanoparticles could:

• Lessen kidney damage and inflammation.
• Reduce key inflammatory markers.
• Restore immune cell performance and counter immune exhaustion.
• Deliver therapeutic results at only half the dosage of standard treatments.

The findings indicate that the therapy not only combats inflammation but also encourages the repair of both kidney and liver tissue. For those undergoing cancer treatment, this may translate to reduced side effects and shorter recovery periods, aided by a supplement suitable for home use.

Regulatory Advantages and Broader Potential

Nearly every element of the dual-function naringenin particle is already approved for human use, simplifying the route through regulatory procedures. Researchers are now exploring its potential in treating other health issues, including cancer.

Adaptability of the System

"One of the advantage of this system is its remarkable adaptability," explained Assistant Professor Dr. Raghu Ganugula, the team's molecular pharmacologist. "It can be fine-tuned according to drug concentrations and ligand-receptor dynamics."

The results of the study could influence treatments for numerous inflammatory conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, sepsis, arthritis and liver disease.

Arora explained, "In the end, our findings demonstrate a robust proof-of-concept for a new generation of oral drug delivery platforms, which may offer more effective treatment at lower doses for inflammatory conditions."

The Importance of Dosage

The animal model component of the study was managed by third-year PhD student Abiodun Wahab, whose veterinary background equipped her with the knowledge and determination to pursue safer dosing methods.

Veterinary Insights into Dosage Risks

"As an undergraduate during may placement at a veterinary clinic, I often treated animals suffering from parasitic infections," he said.

The drug commonly prescribed for treating parasites proved highly effective, though it carried risks if administered in the wrong dose.

"So I arrived with the understanding that one must be cautious about both the dosage and how often it is administered," Wahab remarked. "Discovering this innovative system for lowering drug concentrations and associated toxicities was particularly significant for me."

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sugar coated RNA immune system autoimmune disease research

How Sugar-Coated RNA Tricks the Immune System: A Breakthrough in Autoimmune Disease Research

Introduction

The immune system interprets unprotected RNA as evidence of viral or bacterial invasion, prompting an attack. However, since our cells also possess RNA, they protect it by encasing it in sugars, according to Vijay Rathinam's team at the UConn School of Medicine and Ryan Flynn at Boston Children's Hospital writing in Nature.

RNA and the Immune System

What is RNA?

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a class of large biological molecules essential to life in all its forms—viruses, bacteria and animals alike.

How the Immune System Reacts to RNA

Viruses such as measles, influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and rabies all carry RNA, prompting the immune system to respond aggressively when it detects RNA in the bloodstream or other inappropriate sites. Yet our own cells also contain RNA, sometimes presenting it openly on their surface, visible to patrolling immune cells—remarkably, without provoking attack.

The Challenge of Distinguishing Self from Invader

The Central Question

"Identifying RNA as an indicator of infection poses a challenge, given that every cell within the human body contains RNA," notes immunologist Vijay Rathinam from the UConn School of Medicine. "The real question is how the immune system tells apart our own RNA from that of harmful intruders."

Discovery of Glycosylated RNA

The Role of Sugars in Immune Evasion

Previous investigations by Ryan Flynn of Bostan Children's Hospital and Carolyn Bertozzi of Stanford University discovered that our bodies affix sugars to RNA. These sugar-coated RNA, termed glycosylated RNAs or glycoRNAs, are found on cell surfaces yet appear to evade immune detection.

Research Hypothesis

Rathinam and his team speculated that the sugars might be shielding glycoRNAs from immune detection—a possible mechanism by which the body avoids inflammation caused by its own RNA.

Experimental Findings

Sugar Removal Test

When Vincent Graziano, a doctoral student in Rathinam's laboratory and lead author of the study, removed the sugars from glycoRNA taken from human cell cultures and blood, then reintroduced it into cells, immune cells attacked it. The same RNA, when sugarcoated had previously been ignored.

Key Insight

"The sugar coating conceals our own RNA from detection by the immune system," says Rathinam.

Significance for the Human Body

Protecting Against Unnecessary Inflammation

This is especially important for the body, as cells are frequently coated with glyconRNAs. When they die and are cleared away by the immune system, the RNA's sugar covering stops them from needlessly triggering inflammation.

Implications for Autoimmune Diseases

Potential Connection to Disorders

These findings may prove valuable in considering autoimmune diseases. Conditions such as lupus are linked to certain RNAs and dead cells that trigger immune responses.

Future Research Directions

Now that researchers grasp the role of RNA glycosylation in diverting immune system attention, they can examine whether this mechanism is malfunctioning and how it might be remedied.

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mitochondrial DNA disease treatment breakthrough

Science Triumphs: Eight Babies Born Free of Mitochondrial Disorders via Gene Therapy

Landmark Gene Therapy in Britain Produces Healthy Babies

Researchers revealed on Wednesday that eight healthy infants have been born in Britain through an experimental method involving DNA from three individuals, designed to prevent mothers from transmitting rare, serious illnesses.

Understanding Mitochondrial DNA and Its Impact on Health

Most of our genetic code is located in the cell's nucleus—passed down from both parents and fundamental to who we are. Yet, some DNA is also housed in mitochondria, structures outside the nucleus. Harmful mutations in this mitochondrial DNA can cause a spectrum of serious conditions in children, including organ failure and life-threatening complications.

Screening and the Need for Alternative Reproductive Techniques

Screening during the in vitro fertilization process generally reveals the presence of such mutations. However, in uncommon instances, the results may be inconclusive.

Three-Person IVF: The Groundbreaking Mitochondrial Replacement Technique

How the  Mitochondrial Replacement Technique Works

Scientists have devised a technique to sidestep the issue by employing healthy mitochondria from a donor egg. In 2023, they confirmed the birth of the first babies conceived through this method, which involves transferring the mother's genetic material into a donor egg or embryo containing healthy mitochondria but stripped of its core DNA.

Dr. Zev Williams, director of the Columbia University Fertility Centre, hailed the study as "a significant milestone." Although not involved in the research, he remarked: "Broadening reproductive choices will enable more couples to embark on safe and healthy pregnancies."

Global Perspective and Legal Status

Legal Approval in the UK and Australia

This technique results in an embryo containing genetic material from three individuals—the mother's egg, the father's sperm and the donor's mitochondria. It was legalized in the UK following a 2016 change in legislation. Australia has also approved its use, although it remains prohibited in many other nations, including the United States.

Study Outcomes and Expert Reactions

Research Publication and Results

Specialists from Newcastle University and Monash University in Australia have detailed in the New England Journal of Medicine that they applied the novel technique to fertilized embryos from 22 patients, resulting in the birth of eight babies unaffected by mitochondrial disorders. One woman remains pregnant.

Expert Observations and Precautions

One of the eight babies exhibited marginally elevated levels of abnormal mitochondria, noted Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, a developmental genetics and stem cell expert at the Francis Crick Institute, who was not directly involved in the study. While the level is not deemed sufficient to induce disease, he advised that the child should be monitored as they grow.

Clinical Potential and Selective Application

Dr. Andy Greenfield, a specialist in reproductive health at the University of Oxford, described the achievement as "a triumph of scientific innovation." He further explained that the mitochondrial exchange method would be reserved for a select group of women, particularly those for whom other methods, such as early-stage embryo testing, have proven ineffective.

Genetic Implications and Ethical Debates

Donor DNA and Trait Influence

According to Lovell-Badge, the donor's DNA contribution is minimal and insufficient to influence the child's traits. He clarified that less than one percent of the genetic material in a baby born through this technique originates from the donor egg.

Expert Comparison with Other Treatments

"As it happens, a bone marrow transplant introduces significantly more donor DNA than this technique does," he explained.

Approval and Oversight in the UK

In Britain, all couples hoping to have a child via mitochondrial donation must receive approval from the national fertility watchdog. To date, 35 individuals have been granted permission.

Global Regulatory Landscape and Ethical Considerations

Restrictions in the United States

Some critics have voiced apprehensions in the past, cautioning that the long-term effects of such innovative procedures on future generations remain unknown.

"At present, pronuclear transfer is not authorized for clinical applications in the United States, primarily due to regulations concerning heritable alterations to embryos," noted Williams of Columbia via email. "Whether this position will shift remains to be seen and will hinge upon ongoing debates in science, ethics and policy."

US Legislative Barriers

Over the past decade, funding bills passed by Congress have routinely contained language that bars the Food and Drug Administration from considering any clinical research proposals involving intentional genetic modifications to human embryos that could be passed down to future generations.

Real-Life Stories and Hope for Families

A Mother's Pain and Advocacy

In nations where the procedure is permitted, supporters argue it may offer a valuable option for certain families.

Liz Curtis, whose daughter Lily succumbed to a mitochondrial disorder in 2006, now supports other families facing similar challenges. She described the heartbreak of being told there was no treatment and that her eight-month-old's death was unavoidable.

She explained that the diagnosis "Shattered our world completely and no one could truly explain what it was or how it would affect Lily." Curtis went on to establish the Lily Foundation, named after her daughter, to raise awareness and fund research, including recent studies at Newcastle University.

A Message of Hope

"It's absolutely thrilling news for families who've had very little hope," said Curtis.

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adult hippocampal neurogenesis study

Human Brains Keep Growing New Neurons to Age 78, Karolinska Study Finds

Groundbreaking Study from Karolinska Institutet

A study from Sweden's Karolinska Institutet, published in Science, reveals that neuron formation in the hippocamus persists into late adulthood-offering critical insight into the enduring adaptability of the human brain.

Historical Insight into Neurogenesis Research

The Role of the Hippocampus in Brain Function

the hippocampus, a region of the brain central to learning, memory and emotional regulation, has long intrigued scientists.

The 2013 Landmark Study

In 2013, Jonas Frisén's group at Karolinska Institutet published a landmark study demonstrating that new neurons can form in the adult human hippocampus. They achieved this by measuring carbon-14 levels in DNA extracted from brain tissue, allowing them to estimate the age of the cells.

Determining the Cells of Origin

Nevertheless, the degree and importance of adult neurogenesis remain subjects of scientific debate. Conclusive evidence has yet to confirm whether neural progenitor cells-the precursors to new neurons-exist and divide in adult humans.

"We have now succeeded in identifying the cells of origin, confirming that neuron formation continues in the adult hippocampus," says Professor Jonas Frisén, who led the study at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Cell and Molecular Biology.

From Birth Through to the Age of 78

In their latest investigation, the team harnessed an array of advanced techniques to study brain tissue from donors aged between birth and 78, collected from international biobanks.

Techniques and Tools Used

Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing to profile gene activity within individual nuclei, alongside flow cytometry to assess cellular characteristics, they then applied machine-learning tools to chart every stage of neuronal development-from stem cells to dividing immature neurons.

Spatial Gene Mapping with RNAscope and Xenium

To pinpoint the cell's whereabouts, the researchers employed RNAscope and Xenium-two techniques that reveal spatial patterns of gene activity. Both confirmed that the newly generated cells reside within the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, a region crucial for memory formation, learning and cognitive flexibility.

Prospects for Novel Therapies

Results indicate that the precursors to adult neurons in human are broadly comparable to those in mice, pigs and monkeys, albeit with some variation in gene expression. Additionally, individual differences were marked: some adults possessed numerous progenitor cells, others scarcely any.

"This provides a vital piece of the puzzle in understanding the working of the human brain and how it changes over a lifetime," explains Frisén. "Our findings may also inform the development of regenerative therapies aimed at promoting neurogenesis in psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions."

Collaborative Effort and Institutional Involvement

The study was carried out in close collaboration with Ionut Dumitru, Marta Paterlini and fellow researchers at Karolinska Institutet, alongside colleagues from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.

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