Researchers at Texas A&M University say they may have found a way to do just that using a simple nasal spray designed to reduce inflammation in the brain. In a new study, scientists reported that the treatment restored memory, reduced chronic inflammation, and improved brain cell function after just two doses.
The team believes the findings could eventually lead to new therapies for conditions tied to aging and cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
For years, scientists have known that aging brains often experience persistent low level inflammation, a process known as "neuroinflammaging." This chronic inflammation can interfere with memory, thinking, and the brain's ability to adapt to new situations. It is also considered a major contributor to neurodegenerative diseases.
Now, researchers say that process may not be permanent after all.
The study was led by Dr. Ashok Shetty, university distinguished professor and associate director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, together with senior research scientists Dr. Madhu Leelavathi Narayana and Dr. Maheedhar Kodali. Their findings were published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles.
"Brain age-related diseases like dementia are a major health concern worldwide," Shetty said. "What we're showing is brain aging can be reversed, to help people stay mentally sharp, socially engaged and free from age-related decline."
How the Experimental Nasal Spray Works
The therapy relies on microscopic biological particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs). These tiny structures naturally transport genetic material between cells. In this case, they were loaded with microRNAs, molecules that help regulate important biological processes in the brain.
"MicroRNAs act like master regulators," Narayana said. "They help modulate and regulate many gene and signaling pathways in the brain."
Researchers delivered the EVs through a nasal spray, allowing the treatment to bypass the brain's protective barrier and travel directly into brain tissue.
"The mode of delivery is one of the most exciting aspects of our approach," Kodali said. "Intranasal delivery allows us to reach, and treat, the brain directly without invasive procedures."
Once inside the brain, the treatment targeted immune cells involved in chronic inflammation. According to the researchers, the therapy suppressed inflammatory systems such as the NLRP3 inflammasome and the cGAS-STING signaling pathways, both of which are strongly linked to aging related brain inflammation.
Restoring the Brain's Cellular Energy
The treatment did more than simply reduce inflammation.
Scientists also found that it restored activity in mitochondria, the tiny structures inside cells responsible for producing energy. Aging and inflammation can damage mitochondria, leaving brain cells less efficient and more vulnerable to decline.
By improving mitochondrial function, the therapy appeared to help brain cells recover their ability to process and store information.
"We are giving neurons their spark back by reducing oxidative stress and reactivating the brain's mitochondria," Narayana said.
The improvements were not limited to biological measurements. Behavioral testing showed that treated models performed significantly better on memory and recognition tasks. They were more successful at identifying familiar objects, recognizing new ones, and detecting changes in their surroundings compared to untreated controls.
"We are seeing the brain's own repair systems switch on, healing inflammation and restoring itself," Shetty said.
Perhaps most notably, the effects appeared quickly and lasted for months after only two doses.
Potential Implications for Dementia and Brain Health
Researchers believe the approach could eventually have broad medical applications.
"As we develop and scale this therapy, a simple, two-dose nasal spray could one day replace invasive, risky procedures or maybe even months of medication," Shetty said.
The findings may be especially important as dementia rates continue to rise. In the United States, annual dementia cases are expected to increase from roughly 514,000 in 2020 to around 1 million by 2060.
"The trend signals a pressing need for policies and innovative interventions that can minimize both the risk and severity of neurodegenerative disorders like dementia," Shetty said.
The study also found similar treatment responses across both sexes, something researchers say is relatively uncommon in biomedical studies.
"It's universal," Shetty said. "Treatment outcomes were consistent and similar across both sexes."
In the future, the therapy could potentially help stroke patients recover brain function or slow cognitive decline linked to aging.
"Our approach redefines what it means to grow old," Shetty said. "We're aiming for successful brain aging: keeping people engaged, alert and connected. Not just living longer, but living smarter and healthier," Shetty said.
A New Direction for Brain Aging Research
The research was supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the team has already filed a U.S. patent related to the therapy.
According to Shetty, the goal is not only to understand the biology behind aging brains, but also to develop treatments that could eventually benefit patients.
"We aren't just trying to understand the biological mechanisms, we are translating and developing our findings into real-world therapies that could make a difference," Shetty said.
While additional research is still needed before the treatment could be tested in humans, the study offers a striking possibility: brain aging may not simply be an unavoidable part of getting older.
"Our partnership with the NIA is very important," Shetty said. "This kind of work requires resources and the right people to tackle problems and develop solutions that could change lives."