This nasal spray rewinds the aging brain, restoring memory and reversing inflammation in preclinical models

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This nasal spray rewinds the aging brain, restoring memory and reversing inflammation in preclinical models

by Texas A&M University

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan

Scientists reverse brain aging, with a nasal spray

In Shetty’s lab, researchers develop an innovative nasal spray targeting brain aging. Credit: Texas A&M University Division of Marketing and Communications

Picture this: your brain is a high-performance engine. Over decades, it doesn’t just wear down, it also starts to run hot. Tiny “fires” of inflammation smolder deep within the brain’s memory center, creating a persistent brain fog that makes it harder to think, form new memories or even adapt to new environments, all the while increasing the risk to disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists call this slow burn “neuroinflammaging,” and for decades it was thought to be the inevitable price of growing older. Until now.

A landmark study by researchers at Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine suggests the inflammatory tide responsible for brain aging and brain fog might actually be reversible. And the solution doesn’t involve brain surgery, but a simple nasal spray.

Led by Dr. Ashok Shetty, university distinguished professor and associate director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, along with senior research scientists Dr. Madhu Leelavathi Narayana and Dr. Maheedhar Kodali, the team developed a nasal spray that, with just two doses, dramatically reduced brain inflammation, restored the brain’s cellular power plants and significantly improved memory.

The most surprising part? It all happened within weeks and lasted for months.

The findings, published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, could reshape the future of neurodegenerative therapies and may even change how scientists think about brain aging itself.

“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.”

Rest of the article;

https://phys.org/news/2026-04-nasal-spray-rewinds-aging-brain.html

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#2

shut up and take my money
shut up and take my money1023×576 96.4 KB

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#3

Is this the stem cell derived micro-RNAs that were delivered by the spray ?

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#4

This looks amazing.

Group buy anyone?

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#5

Yes, where’s the TL;DR and PayPal link?

#6

The published paper…

“Intranasal Human NSC-Derived EVs Therapy Can Restrain Inflammatory Microglial Transcriptome, and NLRP3 and cGAS-STING Signalling, in Aged Hippocampus”

https://isevjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jev2.70232

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#7

Nasal Spray for the Aging Brain: Stem Cell Cargo Silences Chronic Neuroinflammation

As we age, the brain’s resident immune cells—microglia—often shift from vigilant protectors to chronic agitators. This “smoldering” state, known as neuroinflammaging, is a primary driver of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Traditional therapies struggle to cross the blood-brain barrier, but a new study from Texas A&M University suggests that the solution might literally be a sniff away.

Researchers led by Dr. Ashok K. Shetty investigated the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cells (hiPSC-NSC-EVs). These microscopic “mailbags” carry a potent cargo of proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) designed to reset the brain’s inflammatory environment. Using 18-month-old mice—roughly equivalent to 60-year-old humans—the team administered just two intranasal doses of these EVs over four weeks.

The results were striking. The treatment effectively “cooled down” the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. Analysis revealed significant reductions in astrocyte hypertrophy and the formation of proinflammatory microglial clusters. Most importantly, the treatment reversed age-related memory deficits. Mice that previously failed memory tests regained the ability to recognize novel objects and recall locations, performing similarly to younger counterparts.

Mechanistically, the EVs work by delivering specific “active ingredients”: miRNA-30e-3p and miRNA-181a-5p. These molecules target two of the most critical inflammatory pathways in aging: the NLRP3 inflammasome and the cGAS-STING pathway. By silencing these cascades, the EVs didn’t just mask symptoms; they fundamentally altered the microglial transcriptome, shifting cells away from a diseased state and toward one that supports mitochondrial health and energy production. This “cell-free” approach offers a promising, non-invasive roadmap for maintaining cognitive health well into old age.

Actionable Insights

  • Intranasal Delivery as a Viable Bypass: This research reinforces that intranasal administration is a highly effective, non-invasive method for delivering complex biologicals like EVs directly to the brain, bypassing the restrictive blood-brain barrier.

  • Targeting the “Inflammaging” Duo: For those tracking longevity pathways, the NLRP3 inflammasome and cGAS-STING are confirmed as high-priority targets for mitigating brain aging. Compounds or interventions that mimic the inhibitory effects of miRNA-30e-3p and miRNA-181a-5p may be particularly neuroprotective.

  • Mitochondrial Resuscitation: The study highlights that “fixing” the aging brain requires more than just stopping inflammation; it requires restoring mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in microglia to support energy-dependent immune functions.

  • Late-Intervention Efficacy: The study proves that intervention even in “late middle age” (18 months in mice) is sufficient to induce transcriptomic shifts and reverse existing cognitive deficits, suggesting a wider therapeutic window than previously thought.

Context

  • Institution: Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M University.
  • Country: USA.
  • Journal Name: Journal of Extracellular Vesicles.
  • Impact Evaluation: The impact score of this journal is 15.5 (based on 2024 JCR data), evaluated against a typical high-end range of 0–60+ for top general science, therefore this is a High impact journal.
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#8

I hope Everychem produces a hack in three or four months. It would be nice to have shiny, new head of hair and a new, more powerful engine underneath it.

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