'Vampire therapy' could reverse ageing, scientists find

The protein, known as GDF11, is present in the bloodstream in large quantities when we are young but peters out as we age.

Although both the discoveries were made in mice, researchers are hoping to begin human trials in the next two to three years, in studies which could bring rapid improvements for human longevity and health.

This should give us all hope for a healthier future, said Prof Doug Melton, of Harvard's Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology.

We all wonder why we were stronger and mentally more agile when young, and these two unusually exciting papers actually point to a possible answer.

There seems to be little question that, GDF11 has an amazing capacity to restore aging muscle and brain function.

Last year the team discovered that the protein could repair damaged hearts. But the new study showed that that raising the levels of the GDF11 protein in older mice improved the function of every organ in the body.

Harvard stem cell biologist Prof Lee Rubin added: We do think that, at least in principal, there will be a way to reverse some of the decline of aging with a single protein.

"It isn't out of question that GDF11, or a drug developed from it, might be worthwhile in Alzheimer's Disease.

It is likely that the protein is at least partly responsible for the parallel finding by Stanford University that young blood can reverse the signs of ageing.

In the study, the blood of three-month-old mice was repeatedly injected into 18-month-old mice near the end of their natural life span.

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'Vampire therapy' could reverse ageing, scientists find