Key points from article :
A recent study led by Zhengxing Huang at Zhejiang University, published in Nature Aging, has identified seven genes linked to accelerated brain ageing and highlighted 13 drugs and supplements that may help slow this process. The researchers used a deep-learning model called 3D-ViT to analyze MRI scans and genetic data from nearly 39,000 UK Biobank participants, revealing that an increased "brain age gap"—the difference between biological and actual brain age—correlates with cognitive decline.
Among the key genes identified, MAPT, TNFSF12, and GZMB showed a particularly strong impact on brain ageing. The study also pointed to medications and supplements that might counteract their effects, including vitamin D (cholecalciferol), omega-3 fatty acids (doconexent), and dasatinib, a leukemia drug. Other potential interventions include estradiol (a hormone replacement therapy), nicotine, and resveratrol, a plant-based antioxidant.
Despite these promising findings, experts caution that genetic predisposition is not the sole determinant of brain ageing—lifestyle and environmental factors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, also play a role. Additionally, since the study relied on UK Biobank data, further research is needed to confirm whether these results apply to other populations worldwide. While this research offers new targets for future clinical trials, the authors warn that taking these drugs or supplements without proper medical guidance could have unintended risks.
