Hypothalamic stem cells control ageing speed partly through exosomal miRNAs

The central nervous system contributes to ageing. The hypothalamus seems to be particularly important in this process. Recent studies have demonstrated a link between ageing and a decrease of neurogenesis in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle in the brain. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSC) reside in those regions in the brain and are involved in the neurogenesis. A link between the presence of NSC, neurogenesis and ageing has thus been hypothesised. Recently, this group described the role of the hypothalamus in systemic ageing, and the unexpected function of GnRH to decelerate ageing1.