https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/scientists-may-have-found-mechanism-behind-cognitive-decline-in-aging CU Anschutz Logo CU Anschutz Logo Search for: [ ] SubmitSubmit * Webmail * UCD Access * Canvas * Quick Links + Webmail + UCD Access + Canvas + Tools & Resources o Events Calendar o Newsroom o Strauss Health Sciences Library o Department A-Z Directory o Campus Directory o Leadership o Faculty & Staff Resources o Supporter & Alumni Resources o Student Resources o Mental Health Resources o Campus Map o University Policies o Give Now + CU Campuses o CU Anschutz Medical Campus o CU Boulder o CU Colorado Springs o CU Denver o CU System o CU Online + CU Anschutz Medical Campus o School of Dental Medicine o Graduate School o School of Medicine o College of Nursing o Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences o Colorado School of Public Health CU Anschutz Medical Campus * Education Student Resources * Research * Patient Care * Community * News Latest Stories In The News * About Leadership Visit the CU Anschutz Medical Campus Events Calendar Contact Us * Health Resources [BRAIN] Home News Scientists May Have Found Mechanism Behind Cognitive Decline in Aging back to News Scientists May Have Found Mechanism Behind Cognitive Decline in Aging Researchers say it could lead to new drugs, therapies to treat normal cognitive decline in aging minute read Written by David Kelly on July 25, 2023 What You Need To Know The mechanism behind normal cognition decline associated with aging may be the alteration of a common brain protein. Scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have discovered what they believe to be the central mechanism behind cognitive decline associated with normal aging. "The mechanism involves the mis-regulation of a brain protein known as CaMKII which is crucial for memory and learning," said the study's co-senior author Ulli Bayer, PhD, professor of pharmacology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "This study directly suggests specific pharmacological treatment strategies." The study was published today in the journal `Science Signaling.' Researchers using mouse models found that altering the CaMKII brain protein caused similar cognitive effects as those that happen through normal aging. Bayer said that aging in mice and humans both decrease a process known as S-nitrosylation, the modification of a specific brain proteins including CaMKII. "The current study now shows a decrease in this modification of CaMKII is sufficient to cause impairments in synaptic plasticity and in memory that are similar in aging," Bayer said. Normal aging reduces the amount of nitric oxide in the body. That in turn reduces nitrosylation which decreases memory and learning ability, the study said. Bayer said the new research opens the way toward developing drugs and other therapeutic interventions that could normalize the nitrosylation of the protein. He said that holds out the possibility of treating or staving off normal cognitive decline for an unknown period of time. He pointed out that this would only work in normal age-related cognitive decline, not the decline seen in Alzheimer's disease and dementia. "We know this protein can be targeted," Bayer said. "And we think it could be done pharmacologically. That is the next logical step." 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