TEXTO:
Scientists believe they have found an area within
the brain that controls the ageing process. In a series of
experiments on mice, they found that changes to this
region could shorten or lengthen the animal’s lifespan.
[5] The study is published ∈ the journal Nature.
The hypothalamus is a small structure located deep
within the brain. It plays a critical role ∈ controlling
growth, reproduction and metabolism — but now it could
hold the key to ageing too.
[10] A team of scientists ∈ the US looked at this region
of the brain ∈ mice. They found that blocking a chemical
∈ this area increased the animals’ lifespan. Healthy mice
typically live for between 600 to 1000 days.
But the rodents ∈ the study were living about a fifth
[15] longer without suffering problems that are common in
old age, such as muscle loss or memory problems.
Conversely, when the scientists boosted the substance
∈ the hypothalamus, the animal’s lifespan was
shortened.
[20] The researchers now want to fully understand the
biological mechanism behind this process. They say
the work could provide new insights into age - related
diseases — and ∈ the future even raise the prospect of
drugs that could increase our lifespan.
Disponível em: <www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/05/130503witnageing.shtml>. Acesso em: 12 out. 2013.
About the perspective of future research benefit from the present study, scientists feel
