Plasmalogen Supplements Improved Memory and Hair Growth in Aging Mice

Plasmalogen supplements improved several aging-associated measures in mice, including memory performance, brain synapse condition, inflammation and hair growth, according to research reported by ScienceDaily. The findings came from experiments in aged mice—not a human clinical trial—and do not show that eating sea squirts or taking plasmalogens reverses aging in people.

The study involved researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Stanford University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Its findings were published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences in 2022 under the title “Plasmalogens Eliminate Aging-Associated Synaptic Defects and Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Mice.”

Plasmalogens are lipid molecules found in cell membranes, including those in the brain, heart and immune cells. The ScienceDaily report notes that their levels tend to decline with age and have also been observed at lower levels in several neurodegenerative diseases. Sea squirts, marine animals eaten in parts of Asia, contain high levels of these compounds.

To assess learning and memory, the researchers used the Morris water maze, in which mice learn to locate a hidden platform. After five days of training, aged mice given plasmalogens reached the platform significantly faster than aged mice that did not receive the supplement. Their performance was described as more similar to that of younger animals.

Brain examinations found that the treated mice had more synapses, the junctions through which nerve cells communicate, and that those connections appeared to be in better condition. The animals also showed substantially lower brain inflammation than untreated aged mice.

The physical changes extended beyond the brain. According to the report, aged mice receiving plasmalogens grew new hair that was thicker, darker and glossier than that of aged mice not given the supplement.

The researchers proposed several possible explanations, including increased levels of molecules involved in the growth and development of neurons and synapses. They also suggested that plasmalogens might affect the structural properties of synaptic membranes or influence the gut-brain connection through changes in gut microorganisms. These remain proposed mechanisms rather than established explanations for the results.

The study does not establish whether the same effects occur in humans, what dose would be required, or whether long-term supplementation is safe. Improved performance in an animal maze and changes in mouse hair are also not equivalent to demonstrating longer human lifespan, extended healthspan or reversal of human biological aging. Human research would be needed before the findings could be applied to people.