Anti-Aging Compound Linked to Brain Damage in Mice

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Researchers at the University of Connecticut report that a two-drug combination frequently used in anti-aging research, dasatinib+quercetin (D+Q), causes significant brain damage in mice. The drugs led to a loss of myelin, the insulation around nerve cells, as well as regression of the brain cells responsible for producing myelin. This damage was worse in younger mice compared to older mice. The findings raise concerns about the safety of using this drug combo, which is sometimes used off-label for anti-aging purposes, and also provide new insights into the mechanisms behind multiple sclerosis.

Why it matters

The discovery that D+Q, a popular anti-aging drug combination, can cause such dramatic brain damage in mice is concerning, as it suggests the cocktail may not be as safe as previously thought, especially for prophylactic or off-label use. However, the findings also offer new clues about the cellular processes underlying multiple sclerosis, which involves the loss of myelin around nerve cells. Understanding how the drugs trigger this regression of myelinating cells could lead to new ways to potentially reverse or repair the damage in MS patients.

The details

In experiments, the researchers treated both young (6-9 months) and old (22 months) mice with D+Q, a combination that has shown promise in eliminating aged, inflammatory cells that contribute to aging. They found that the treatment led to a significant loss of myelin around the mice's nerve cells, with the damage being worse in the younger animals. The corpus callosum, a critical brain region, also showed signs of deterioration similar to what is seen in 'chemo brain' from cancer treatments. Further analysis revealed the myelinating cells, called oligodendrocytes, had not died but had instead regressed into a younger, less functional state, likely due to the drugs 'choking off' the energy the cells need.

• The study was published in the March 16, 2026 issue of PNAS.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The researchers are now working on ways to potentially reverse the regression of the myelinating oligodendrocytes in order to see if the brain damage can be repaired, which could lead to new treatments for multiple sclerosis.