Source: Nature
Context: A new study has revealed that Injecting ageing monkeys with a ‘longevity factor’ protein that can restore levels of Klotho, can improve their cognitive function, a study reveals.
What is Klotho?
Klotho is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the KL gene and produced in Kidney. Circulating levels of soluble Klotho decrease with age and the Klotho gene is associated with increased risk of age-related diseases.
Significance of the findings: The findings could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Previous research on mice had shown that injections of klotho can extend its lives and increase synaptic plasticity (the capacity to control communication between neurons, at junctions called synapses).
