Texas A&M University researchers have created a nasal spray that delivered two doses of stem‑cell‑derived microscopic particles, called extracellular vesicles, to aged mice and saw lasting improvements in memory and cognitive function. The treatment, described in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, reduced chronic brain inflammation (“neuroinflammaging”), restored the function of the brain’s cellular power plants (mitochondria), and reversed age‑related memory deficits within weeks. The effects persisted for months.
The therapy uses a nasal spray to deliver tiny biological packages called extracellular vesicles (EVs), which carry genetic instructions in the form of microRNAs. MicroRNAs act like “master regulators” that can modulate many gene and signaling pathways in the brain. In preclinical experiments, the vesicles were quickly absorbed and suppressed inflammatory pathways such as the NLRP3 inflammasome and the cGAS‑STING signaling system, while also reducing oxidative stress and reactivating mitochondria. Treated mice performed significantly better on memory and recognition tasks. Notably, the treatment was equally effective in both sexes, a relatively uncommon finding in biomedical research.
The study was led by Dr. Ashok Shetty, along with Dr. Madhu Leelavathi Narayana and Dr. Maheedhar Kodali. The researchers have filed a U.S. patent for the therapy. “What we’re showing is brain aging can be reversed,” Shetty said in a Texas A&M announcement. He added that as they develop and scale the therapy, a simple, two‑dose nasal spray could one day replace more invasive procedures or months of medication. The team’s long‑term goal is to keep people mentally sharp, socially engaged, and free from age‑related decline.