DMTF1: A Molecular Switch to Rejuvenate Aging Brain Cells
Researchers have identified the transcription factor DMTF1 as a key regulator that preserves neural stem cell activity in aging brains. In aging models with telomere damage, DMTF1 levels drop and neural stem cell regeneration declines; reactivating DMTF1 restores regenerative capacity and reveals its role in activating helper genes that open chromatin for growth-related genes. This suggests potential therapies to slow cognitive aging by boosting neural stem cell function, though most work so far is in vitro, with the long-term aim of developing small molecules to safely enhance DMTF1 without increasing brain tumor risk.