Longevity & AgingWalnut Peptide Reverses Age-Related Memory Loss by Reshaping the Gut-Brain Axis
Researchers engineered a recombinant version of the walnut-derived peptide EVSGPGYSPN (called rWDP) and tested it in mice with d-galactose-induced aging. The peptide significantly improved spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze. Key mechanisms included increased populations of the beneficial gut bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila, improved gut mucosal integrity, reduced systemic inflammation, and decreased microglial activation in the brain. The hippocampus showed better-preserved neuronal architecture and lower p21 (cellular senescence marker) expression. Metabolomic analysis found restored neurotransmitter balance, including elevated glutathione and serotonin metabolites. These findings suggest rWDP targets cognitive decline through multiple interconnected pathways spanning the gut, immune system, and brain.
