Or at least seriously creepy vampire mice do

Aug 4, 2015 11:21 GMT  ·  By

To many, vampires are merely mythical creatures or maybe protagonists of folkloric tales and money-making fantasy romance novels (yes, we're talking “Twilight”). Well, it just so happens that, as bizarre as this might sound, vampires do, in fact, make sense. No joke. 

In a study published in yesterday's issue of the journal JAMA Neurology, Stanford University scientist Tony Wyss-Coray and fellow researchers present evidence that young blood can rejuvenate organs past their prime. Plainly put, it can reverse aging.

No, you don't have to drink it

In a series of experiments reviewed by the Stanford University researcher and his team, the potential effects of young blood on aging bodies were studied with the help of laboratory mice.

On one occasion, young rodents were paired with considerably older ones and then their blood vessels were connected. Other mice were left to stand alone and served as a control group.

The experiments revealed that, when injured, the old animals that shared a blood supply with young ones healed faster than the control group. Besides, these mice grew new cells in a part of the brain previously shown to be involved in forming and retrieving memories.

Then, a 2014 investigation revealed that, when injected with plasma from young specimens, old mice experience a boost in their memory and learning abilities.

Having went over these experiments and others of their kind, Tony Wyss-Coray and colleagues propose that, according to evidence at hand, it might be that young blood can reverse aging in various organs, the brain among them.

“Revisiting classical methods of experimental physiology in animal models has uncovered surprising regenerative activity in young blood with translational implications for the aging liver, muscle, brain, and other organs,” the researchers claim.

No, there is nothing mystical going on

Admittedly, these experiments on how young blood can counter aging all sound like a clear case of the black magic. Except there really isn't anything all that weird about them.

The thing about young bodies is that, when compared to aging ones, they pack all sorts of hormones and growth factors, many of which play a crucial role in the repair and maintenance of damaged cells and tissues. Hence, it makes sense for an old organism to function better when transfused young blood.

Efforts are now underway to determine whether the outcome of these experiments on mice might be recreated in humans. If so, blood transfusions could become a valid treatment option for conditions like Alzheimer's and organ failure.

“The possibility that one or many proteins in young human blood can rejuvenate a diversity of organs [including the brain] is a tantalizing one that should spur further research,” say Tony Wyss-Coray and his colleagues.

Several studies have shown young blood can reverse aging
Several studies have shown young blood can reverse aging

Photo Gallery (2 Images)

Vampires might be on to something
Several studies have shown young blood can reverse aging
Open gallery