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Brain region may hold key to aging

Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have found that the hypothalamus controls aging throughout the body, opening up new avenues for treating age-related diseases. Activating specific pathways can accelerate or slow down aging, and blocking them may increase longevity by up to 20 percent.

Eat too much? Maybe it's in the blood

Research at Baylor College of Medicine found that bone marrow cells producing BDNF travel to the hypothalamus, where they fine-tune appetite. A bone marrow transplant restoring the gene for BDNF can normalize appetite and reduce overeating in mice with insulin resistance.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 2013

Tiny brain region better part of valor

A new study reveals that a tiny part of the brain's hypothalamus is key to animals' fear responses, contradicting long-held assumptions about the amygdala. The research found that neutralizing this region eliminates fear in rodents, who instead exhibit bold and aggressive behavior towards predators.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2009

New brain hormone puts brakes on reproduction

Researchers discovered a new brain hormone GnIH that directly inhibits the action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), stimulating the reproductive system. This finding suggests that GnIH plays a similar role in humans and other mammals, offering potential new treatments for infertility and precocious puberty.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2006