Age reversing seafood found? Scientists discover sea squirts that can help you get younger

Scientists have found a potentially promising link between compounds found in sea squirts and the effects of ageing on the brain. In experiments involving older mice, researchers reported that dietary supplements containing plasmalogens improved memory, increased healthy connections between brain cells and reduced inflammation.

The study involved researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Stanford University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. While the findings do not establish that the same effects will occur in humans, they add to growing research into whether some age-related changes in the brain could be modified rather than simply accepted as an inevitable part of growing older.

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Why researchers looked at sea squirts

Sea squirts, marine animals belonging to the group Ascidiacea, are consumed in parts of Asia. They are known as meongge in Korea and hoya in Japan and are naturally rich in plasmalogens. Plasmalogens are specialised fats that are part of cell membranes. They are found throughout the body, with particularly high concentrations in organs such as the brain and heart.

One reason they have attracted scientific interest is that plasmalogen levels generally fall with age. Lower levels have also been reported in people with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

That does not prove that a shortage of plasmalogens causes these diseases. But the association has prompted researchers to investigate whether restoring the compounds could influence some of the biological changes that occur during ageing.

Older mice performed better in memory test

The researchers tested the idea by giving plasmalogen supplements to aged mice and comparing them with older mice that did not receive the supplement. One of the main tests was the Morris water maze, a standard experiment used to assess spatial learning and memory in rodents.

The mice were placed in a pool and had to learn the location of a hidden platform. After repeated training, animals with better spatial memory generally find the platform more quickly. After five days, the mice receiving plasmalogens were able to locate the platform considerably faster than untreated aged mice. Their performance was closer to that of younger animals.

The researchers then looked more closely at the animals' brains.

How Plasmalogens can make people younger

The brain examination revealed differences in the number and condition of synapses in the treated mice. Synapses are the points where nerve cells communicate with one another. They are essential for transmitting information across neural networks and play a central role in functions such as learning and memory.

Ageing can lead to changes in these connections, including a reduction in the number and effectiveness of synapses. Such changes can make it harder for the brain to process and retain information. In the mice that received plasmalogens, researchers found more synapses and signs that these connections were in better condition.

The findings suggest that the supplement may have helped preserve or restore some of the neural connections that are important for cognitive performance.

Brain inflammation was also reduced

The study found another notable difference between the two groups. Older mice given plasmalogens showed substantially lower levels of inflammation in the brain. Inflammation is an important part of the immune system's response to injury or infection. But prolonged inflammation can be damaging, particularly in the brain, where excessive immune activity may interfere with nerve cells and their connections.

Ageing is associated with changes in the way immune cells in the brain behave. Researchers have also linked chronic brain inflammation with several neurodegenerative diseases. The reduction in inflammation could therefore be one reason the treated mice showed better results in memory tests, although the researchers say more work is needed to understand the exact relationship.

Scientists explore how the compounds affect the brain

The mechanism behind the results is not yet fully established. Professor Lei Fu, the study's corresponding author, said the researchers found that plasmalogens increased molecules involved in the development of neurons and synapses. This could indicate that the compounds support processes involved in repairing or rebuilding neural connections.

Another possibility relates to the structure of cell membranes. Plasmalogens are important components of membranes, including those surrounding synapses. Changes in their composition could affect membrane flexibility and the way signals travel between nerve cells. In simple terms, healthier and more flexible synaptic membranes may allow brain cells to communicate more effectively.

The gut-brain connection could play a role

The researchers are also considering whether the effects could involve the gut rather than being restricted to the brain. Dietary plasmalogens may influence the microorganisms living in the digestive system, according to previous research cited by the team. These microorganisms make up the gut microbiome, which is increasingly being studied for its relationship with brain health.

The gut-brain axis describes the two-way communication between the digestive system and the brain. Signals involving the immune system, metabolism and microbial activity can travel between the two. Researchers are investigating whether changes in this system could influence neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. The study suggests that plasmalogens could potentially affect this pathway, although this remains a proposed explanation rather than a confirmed mechanism.

Does this mean sea squirts can reverse ageing?

Not yet. The findings are based on experiments in mice, and animal studies cannot automatically be translated into human treatments. There is currently no evidence from this study that eating sea squirts or taking plasmalogen supplements can reverse ageing, restore memory loss or prevent Alzheimer’s disease in people.

Human studies would need to establish whether the compounds produce similar effects, what amount would be appropriate and whether long-term use is safe.

The researchers nevertheless believe the results could open a new area of investigation. Professor Fu described oral plasmalogen intake as a potentially feasible strategy for improving cognitive function in older people and studying neurodegeneration.

For now, the most important takeaway is more modest: a compound naturally found in sea squirts has shown encouraging effects on ageing-related changes in the brains of mice. Whether those effects can be reproduced in humans remains an open scientific question.