Surprise Link Between Menthol And Alzheimer's Found in Mice
It seems the chemical compound can stop some of the damage done to the brain that's usually associated with the disease.
In particular, researchers noticed a reduction in the interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) protein, which helps to regulate the body's inflammatory response – a response that can offer natural protection but one that leads to harm when it's not controlled properly.
The team behind the study, published in April 2023, says it shows the potential for particular smells to be used as therapies for Alzheimer's. If we can figure out which odors cause which brain and immune system responses, we can harness them to improve health.
Watch the video below to see what the scientists discovered:
"We have focussed on the olfactory system's role in the immune and central nervous systems, and we have confirmed that menthol is an immunostimulatory odor in animal models," said immunologist Juan José Lasarte from the Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) in Spain when the results were released.
"But, surprisingly, we observed that short exposures to this substance for six months prevented cognitive decline in the mice with Alzheimer's and, what is most interesting, also improved the cognitive ability of healthy young mice."
Having previously observed menthol inhalation boosting the immune response of mice, here the team showed that it could also improve the animals' cognitive abilities, as observed in a series of practical tests in the lab.
In mice with Alzheimer's, the course of menthol for a six-month-long period was enough to stop the cognitive abilities and memory capabilities of the mice from deteriorating. In addition, it appears menthol pushed the IL-1β protein back to safe levels in the brain.
When researchers artificially reduced the number of T regulatory (Treg) cells – known to help keep the immune system in check – some of the same effects were observed, opening a possible route that future treatments could take.
"Both menthol exposure and Treg cell blockade caused a decrease in IL-1β, a protein that could be behind the cognitive decline observed in these models," said neuroscientist Ana Garcia-Osta from CIMA.
"In addition, the specific blockade of this protein with a drug used in treating some autoimmune diseases also improved the cognitive capacity of healthy mice and mice with Alzheimer's."
Scientists have already established numerous links between smells and our immune and nervous systems. These relationships are difficult to fully understand, but we know that our olfactory system can strongly influence the brain.
Certain smells may trigger certain responses in the brain, leading to chemical reactions that affect memory, emotion, and more.
Indeed, diseases related to the central nervous system – such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and schizophrenia – often come with a loss of smell. This new research adds some promising data, but plenty more is needed in humans as well as mice.
"This study is an important step toward understanding the connection between the immune system, the central nervous system, and smell," said immunologist Noelia Casares from CIMA.
"The results suggest that odors and immune modulators may play an important role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's and other diseases related to the central nervous system."
The research was published in Frontiers in Immunology.
An earlier version of this article was published in May 2023.
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Newsweek
11 hours ago
- Newsweek
Woman in Psych Unit Diagnosed With Dementia at 56, It Was Menopause
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Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
Zura Bio Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Updates
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Research and Development (R&D) Expenses R&D expenses were $8.7 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $5.5 million for the same period in 2024. The increase of $3.2 million was primarily related to our continued advancement of our Phase 2 clinical studies evaluating tibulizumab in SSc and HS. Specifically, we incurred a $3.3 million increase in costs related to our SSc and HS clinical studies driven by an increase in contract research organization (CRO) expenses. These increases were partially offset by a $1.3 million reduction in manufacturing costs for our product candidates. R&D compensation costs increased by $0.7 million, reflecting additional headcount to support the growing development organization. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses G&A expenses were $9.4 million for the second quarter of 2025, compared to $6.2 million for the same period in 2024. The $3.2 million year-over-year increase was primarily driven by a $2.0 million increase in compensation costs to support the expansion of administrative functions and a $1.2 million increase in external spend related to organizational growth as we continue to advance our clinical development programs. Net Loss Net loss for the second quarter of 2025 was $16.0 million, or $0.17 per share, compared to $10.3 million, or $0.17 per share, for the same period in 2024. ABOUT ZURA BIO Zura Bio is a clinical-stage, multi-asset immunology company dedicated to developing novel dual-pathway antibodies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases with unmet needs. The Company's pipeline includes dual-pathway product candidates designed to target key mechanisms of immune system imbalance, with the goal of improving efficacy, safety, and dosing convenience for patients. 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Words such as 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'project,' 'budget,' 'forecast,' 'anticipate,' 'intend,' 'plan,' 'may,' 'will,' 'could,' 'should,' 'believe,' 'predict,' 'potential,' 'continue,' 'strategy,' 'future,' 'opportunity,' 'would,' 'seem,' 'seek,' 'outlook,' 'goal,' 'mission,' and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication. These forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Zura Bio's forecasts, including with respect to its cash resources; Zura Bio's expectations regarding funding, operating and working capital expenditures, business strategies and objectives; and expectations with respect to Zura Bio's development program, including its product candidates and the potential clinical benefits thereof, data readouts, regulatory matters, clinical studies and the design and timing thereof. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events are difficult or impossible to predict and could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, but are not limited to: Zura Bio's expectations regarding its product candidates and their related benefits, and Zura Bio's beliefs regarding competing product candidates and products both in development and approved, may not be achieved; Zura Bio's vision and strategy may not be successful; the timing of key events and initiation of Zura Bio's studies, regulatory matters and release of clinical data may take longer than anticipated or may not be achieved at all; the potential general acceptability and maintenance of Zura Bio's product candidates by regulatory authorities, payors, physicians, and patients may not be achieved; Zura Bio's ability to attract and retain key personnel; Zura Bio's expectations with respect to its future operating expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing may not be achieved; Zura Bio has not completed any clinical trials, and has no products approved for commercial sale; Zura Bio has incurred significant losses since inception, and expects to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future and may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability in the future; Zura Bio requires substantial additional capital to finance its operations, and if it is unable to raise such capital when needed or on acceptable terms, Zura Bio may be forced to delay, reduce, and/or eliminate one or more of its development programs or future commercialization efforts; Zura Bio may be unable to renew existing contracts or enter into new contracts; Zura Bio relies on third-party contract development manufacturing organizations for the manufacture of clinical materials; Zura Bio relies on contract research organizations, clinical trial sites, and other third parties to conduct its preclinical studies and clinical studies; Zura Bio may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for its product candidates, and there may be related restrictions or limitations of any approved products; Zura Bio may be unable to successfully respond to general economic and geopolitical conditions; Zura Bio may be unable to effectively manage growth; Zura Bio faces competitive pressures from other companies worldwide; Zura Bio may be unable to adequately protect its intellectual property rights; and other factors set forth in documents filed, or to be filed by Zura Bio, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risks and uncertainties described in the 'Risk Factors' section of Zura Bio's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as supplemented by Zura Bio's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025, and other filings with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties may be amplified by health epidemics or other unanticipated global disruption events, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war and sanctions related thereto, international trade policies, including tariffs, inflation, increased interest rates, uncertain global credit and capital markets and disruptions in banking systems, and changes in regulations, which may continue to cause economic uncertainty. Zura Bio cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive or exhaustive and not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Zura Bio gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations. Zura Bio does not undertake or accept any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. ZURA BIO LIMITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands, except share and per share data) For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Operating expenses: Research and development $ 8,704 $ 5,539 $ 19,178 $ 9,132 General and administrative 9,358 6,220 18,138 11,006 Total operating expenses 18,062 11,759 37,316 20,138 Loss from operations (18,062 ) (11,759 ) (37,316 ) (20,138 ) Other (income)/expense, net: Interest income (1,717 ) (2,196 ) (3,534 ) (3,411 ) Change in fair value of private placement warrants — 768 — 1,374 Other income, net (352 ) (2 ) (347 ) (25 ) Total other income, net (2,069 ) (1,430 ) (3,881 ) (2,062 ) Loss before income taxes (15,993 ) $ (10,329 ) (33,435 ) (18,076 ) Income tax benefit — — — — Net loss (15,993 ) (10,329 ) (33,435 ) (18,076 ) Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value — (2,337 ) — (2,337 ) Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest from redemption value to carrying value — — — 7,017 Net loss attributable to Class A Ordinary Shareholders of Zura $ (15,993 ) $ (12,666 ) $ (33,435 ) $ (13,396 ) Net loss per share attributable to Class A Ordinary Shareholders of Zura, basic and diluted $ (0.17 ) $ (0.17 ) $ (0.36 ) $ (0.22 ) Weighted-average Class A Ordinary Shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Class A Ordinary Shareholders of Zura, basic and diluted 94,289,954 74,947,369 93,630,719 60,930,956 Expand
Time Magazine
3 days ago
- Time Magazine
Should You Take a Vitamin B12 Supplement?
Everyone needs vitamin B12: It helps the body produce red blood cells and maintain healthy brain function, along with so many other things. But are you getting enough of it? Here's what to know about vitamin B12 and whether you should consider upping your levels. A boon for brain health 'Vitamin B12 is important for brain health because it helps protect nerve cells in the brain, which support memory and thinking skills,' says Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian and certified diabetes educator in New York. It's water-soluble, so the body does not store it in large amounts, and daily intake is essential. The current federal recommendations are for adults to get 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per day. Great food sources of B12 include seafood like oysters, salmon and tuna, beef, and fortified products like nutritional yeast, plant-based milks, some breads and breakfast cereals, says Routhenstein. But some recent research suggests that some people may need even more than that. Vitamin B12 deficiencies can impact your brain function even when your intake levels are considered normal, says Dr. Ari J. Green, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco's department of ophthalmology. In a recent study, Green and his colleagues found that people with B12 levels that were technically normal but on the lower end of the range had impaired brain function. 'We could detect neurological impairment at levels currently considered 'normal,' independently of other factors like years of education," particularly in older people, says Dr. Alexandra Beaudry-Richard, a resident at McGill University and co-author of the study. 'To us, this should reinvigorate a conversation about how much B12 is needed for optimal neurological function.' Read More: Should You Take a Vitamin D Supplement? Other studies have found that people with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment tend to have lower B12 levels—and supplementation with B12 can reduce the rate of brain atrophy. However, on the opposite end, the study showed signs of a possible detrimental effect on the brain when people had high B12 levels in their blood. 'This warrants further studies to evaluate what healthy B12 levels are on both ends of the spectrum,' says Dr. Ahmed Abdelhak, one of the study's authors and a clinical instructor in neurology at UCSF School of Medicine. Should you take a B12 supplement? You can (and should) get B12 from your diet, but some people may have a tough time getting adequate levels of the nutrient from food alone. Older adults are more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiencies because the vitamin requires stomach acid to be absorbed, and stomach acid production starts to decline with age. Routhenstein recommends people look closer into their B12 status starting around age 50 or if they are at higher risk of a B12 deficiency. This category includes vegans and vegetarians, people taking specific medications that interfere with B12 absorption such as metformin or proton pump inhibitors, and those who have gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn's, celiac, or atrophic gastritis. You can get tested for a vitamin B12 deficiency at your annual physical. If you are deficient, your doctor might recommend supplementation. Read More: 7 Surprising Symptoms of Lyme Disease The UCSF study authors recommend checking levels starting at age 70, but you can get it checked on a standard blood test at any age through your primary care physician. Dr. Ralph Green, a professor of pathology and lab medicine at the University of California, Davis—and another author on that recent study—says that checking B12 may also be valuable for people who have unexplained symptoms that have been linked to B12 deficiency. For those with declining gastric function, he says taking supplements is likely the best way to promote absorption, and the level of supplementation a person should consume depends on whether their absorption is normal or not. Pregnant women, too, need higher B12 intake to support fetal brain development; if you're pregnant, consult with your ob-gyn about optimal B12 levels for you. What kind of B12 supplement is best? B12 in supplements and fortified foods can be more easily absorbed than from food, especially for older adults and those with absorption issues, says Routhenstein. If your doctor has advised you to take a B12 supplement, it's best to ask them to recommend specific dosages and brands. But Routhenstein recommends following these general guidelines when selecting a B12 supplement. Of course, no supplement is a cure-all, and there are other ways to support brain health, including maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Activities that stimulate multiple brain areas simultaneously are excellent at promoting cognitive longevity, Beaudry-Richard says. Practicing a musical instrument, dancing, and studying a foreign language daily, for example, all recruit 'brain circuits responsible for vision, hearing, movement, emotions' and more. 'It's like a full-body workout for the brain,' she says.
