Scientists find way to reverse age-related effects within the brain

A new study reveals that neurobiological changes associated with aging can be seen at a much younger age than would be expected, in the late 40s.

However, the study also suggests that this process may be prevented or reversed based on dietary changes that involve minimizing the consumption of simple carbohydrates, MedicalXpress reported.

"We may be able to prevent or reverse these effects with diet, mitigating the impact of encroaching hypometabolism by exchanging glucose for ketones as fuel for neurons," the paper says.

What the researchers discovered, using neuroimaging of the brain, is that quite early on there is breakdown of communication between brain regions ("network stability").

"This effect matters because brain aging, and especially dementia, are associated with "hypometabolism," in which neurons gradually lose the ability to effectively use glucose as fuel. Therefore, if we can increase the amount of energy available to the brain by using a different fuel, the hope is that we can restore the brain to more youthful functioning," the scientists say.