Resveratrol has gained fame in recent years for its ability to slow the aging process in laboratory mice.
According to scientists, the wine molecule influences lifespan by activating a group of enzymes known as sirtuins (Sirtuin1), which keep cells alive and healthy in the face of stress by coordinating many hormonal networks and other genes.
In humans the Sirtuin1 protein is encoded by the SIRT1 gene. “We have now found that SIRT1 activity also promotes plasticity and memory,” revealed Professor Li-Huei Tsai, lead author of the study at Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Because of SIRT1’s multi-faceted role in the brain, Tsai said it shows promise as a target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases.
In addition to helping neurons survive, SIRT1 also has a direct role in regulating normal brain function, demonstrating its value as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of the central nervous system.
