New Study Uncovers Why Women Live Longer and Age Slower
The X chromosome may hold the key to longevity and slower cognitive decline in females, offering new insights into brain aging.
Watan-A new study suggests that the X chromosome may play a key role in why females tend to live longer than males and experience slower cognitive aging.
Females have two X chromosomes—one from each parent—but in every cell, one of these chromosomes is randomly inactivated while the other remains active.
According to Science Alert, the study found evidence in both mice and humans that as females age, dormant X chromosomes can “wake up” in brain cells essential for learning and memory.
X Chromosome’s Role in Slower Cognitive Aging in Women
The inactive X chromosome carries genes linked to cognitive function. One gene, PLP1, becomes more active in aging neurons, allowing them to function more efficiently.
This overlooked genetic effect could be a key reason why females live longer and experience slower cognitive decline than males.
The research team noted that while the X chromosome makes up about 5% of the human genome, its effects on the aging brain have not been fully explored.
Lead author Dena Dubal, a neuroscientist at the University of California, stated:
“In typical aging, women tend to have younger-looking brains with less cognitive decline compared to men. Our findings suggest that the silent X chromosome in females awakens later in life, likely helping slow cognitive deterioration.”
The researchers believe their findings could help develop future treatments for brain aging.
