Study Finds Blood Plasma Can Restore Brain Function

Results from a new study show that brain function can be restored by human blood plasma. And, the younger the source of the blood plasma, the better the results. In the study, researchers injected elderly mice (specially bred with faulty immune systems to guard against rejection) with blood plasma from human umbilical cords every four days for two weeks. They then compared those mice with three groups of other mice: one that received blood plasma from young adults, another that received blood plasma from elderly people and a control group that received only saline. They found that those who received umbilical cord blood demonstrated the best improvement on memory and learning tests (they were able to learn faster and find their way through a maze better), while the mice that received elderly blood didn’t show any improvement. The mice that received young adults’ blood also showed some improvements in cognitive ability, but not as much.

The researchers isolated a protein, TIMP2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases 2) in the umbilical cord plasma that appeared to be responsible for the increase in cognitive abilities. As individuals age, they have lower levels of TIMP2. So, they performed an additional test by injecting the elderly mice with TIMP2 and found the effects were comparable with the results of the umbilical cord blood plasma injection. They also found that it restored a behavior that mice typically lose as they age: the instinct to use bits of cotton, paper and other material to create a bed to sleep on.

to sleep on. According to the researchers, the results suggest that as humans age, their blood gradually loses its potential to rejuvenate. They believe that both umbilical cord blood and TIMP2 work on the hippocampus, the part of the brain associated with learning, forming memories and recalling information. If proven right, it could lay the foundation for developing drugs to help fight against restoring its function.