Source: EurekAlert
Researchers from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research report that the protein neurofilament light chain (NfL), a known marker of nerve damage in humans, may help track aging across animal species. In people, NfL levels rise with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS and also increase naturally with age. The team found similar age-related increases in mice, cats, dogs, and horses.
In a study of 44 older mice, those with slower NfL increases lived longer, while faster rises predicted shorter lifespans, suggesting NfL may estimate life expectancy. Sampling more than 50 additional species, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, researchers detected NfL in all mammals and in some birds and reptiles. The findings indicate that blood tests developed for dementia research could be adapted for Veterinary medicine to assess biological age, neurological health, and survival prospects across diverse animal species.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1117230