As we age, stem cells in the brain — responsible for repair and renewal—become less active. Researchers, led by N2CR member Dr Derrick Ong, discovered that a protein called DMTF1 is crucial for keeping these stem cells active. In models of premature aging caused by damaged chromosome ends (called telomeres), DMTF1 levels dropped, and brain stem cell multiplication decreased. Restoring DMTF1 rescued their growth. DMTF1 works by switching on helper genes (Arid2 and Ss18) that open up DNA and activate other growth-related genes. Without these helpers, stem cells lose their ability to renew. This breakthrough suggests DMTF1 as a promising target to counter age-related brain decline by reactivating stem cell function, offering hope for therapies that could preserve brain health as we grow older.

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