{"id":82007,"date":"2022-04-27T12:07:17","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T16:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&#038;p=82007"},"modified":"2025-08-19T09:37:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T13:37:09","slug":"animal-secrets-preventing-brain-injury","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/animal-secrets-preventing-brain-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Naked mole rats, frogs and other animals may hold the secrets to preventing brain injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-max  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n                    \n                    \n            \n    <div class=\"cu-wideimage relative flex items-center justify-center mx-auto px-8 overflow-hidden md:px-16 rounded-xl not-prose  my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 bg-opacity-50 bg-cover bg-cu-black-50 pt-24 pb-32 md:pt-28 md:pb-44 lg:pt-36 lg:pb-60 xl:pt-48 xl:pb-72\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/naked-mole-rat-1200w-1.jpg); background-position: 50% 50%;\">\n\n                    <div class=\"absolute top-0 w-full h-screen\" style=\"background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.600);\"><\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"relative z-[2] max-w-4xl w-full flex flex-col items-center gap-2 cu-wideimage-image cu-zero-first-last\">\n            <header class=\"mx-auto mb-6 text-center text-white cu-pageheader cu-component-updated cu-pageheader--center md:mb-12\">\n\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold mb-2 text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] cu-pageheader--center text-center mx-auto after:left-px\">\n                        Naked mole rats, frogs and other animals may hold the secrets to preventing brain injury\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                            <\/header>\n        <\/div>\n\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"absolute bottom-0 w-full z-[1]\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 1280 312\">\n                <path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M26.412 315.608c-.602-.268-6.655-2.412-13.524-4.769a1943.84 1943.84 0 0 1-14.682-5.144l-2.276-.858v-5.358c0-4.876.086-5.358.773-5.09 1.674.643 21.38 5.84 34.646 9.109 14.682 3.59 28.935 6.858 45.936 10.449l9.874 2.089H57.322c-16.4 0-30.31-.16-30.91-.428ZM460.019 315.233c42.974-10.074 75.602-19.88 132.443-39.867 76.16-26.791 152.063-57.709 222.385-90.663 16.7-7.823 21.336-10.074 44.262-21.273 85.004-41.688 134.719-64.193 195.291-88.413 66.55-26.577 145.2-53.584 194.27-66.765C1258.5 5.626 1281.34 0 1282.24 0c.17 0 .34 27.596.34 61.3v61.299l-2.23.375c-84.7 13.718-165.93 35.955-310.736 84.931-46.494 15.753-65.427 22.076-96.166 32.15-9.102 3-24.814 8.198-34.989 11.574-107.543 35.954-153.008 50.422-196.626 62.639l-6.74 1.876-89.126-.054c-78.135-.054-88.782-.161-85.948-.857ZM729.628 312.875c33.229-10.985 69.248-23.523 127.506-44.207 118.705-42.223 164.596-57.709 217.446-73.302 2.62-.75 8.29-2.465 12.67-3.751 56.19-16.772 126.94-33.597 184.17-43.671 5.07-.91 9.66-1.768 10.22-1.875l.94-.161v170.236l-281.28-.054H719.968l9.66-3.215ZM246.864 313.411c-65.041-2.251-143.047-12.11-208.432-26.256-18.375-3.965-41.73-9.538-42.202-10.074-.171-.214-.257-21.38-.214-47.046l.129-46.618 6.654 3.697c57.313 32.043 118.491 56.531 197.699 79.143 40.313 11.521 83.459 18.058 138.669 21.059 15.584.857 65.685.857 81.14 0 33.744-1.876 61.306-4.93 88.396-9.806 6.396-1.126 11.634-1.983 11.722-1.929.255.375-20.48 7.769-30.999 11.038-28.592 8.948-59.288 15.646-91.873 20.147-26.36 3.59-50.015 5.627-78.35 6.698-15.584.59-55.209.59-72.339-.053Z\"><\/path>\n                <path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M-3.066 295.067 32.06 304.1v9.033H-3.066v-18.066Z\"><\/path>\n            <\/svg>\n            <\/div>\n\n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<p>This article is <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/naked-mole-rats-frogs-and-other-animals-may-hold-the-secrets-to-preventing-brain-injury-178970\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">republished<\/a> from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. All photos provided by <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Conversation<\/a> from various sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 100px; border: none; position: relative; z-index: 1;\" allowtransparency=\"\" allow=\"clipboard-read; clipboard-write\" src=\"https:\/\/narrations.ad-auris.com\/widget\/the-conversation-canada\/naked-mole-rats--frogs-and-other-animals-may-hold-the-secrets-to-preventing-brain-injury\" width=\"100%\" height=\"400\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The brain is the organ that orchestrates all the diverse functions and complex decisions that take place in biological systems. Despite its critical nature, it is equally as fragile: the neurons that make up the brain <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11064-019-02844-y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">do not regenerate like many other cell types<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While cells found in many other organs constantly divide to replenish themselves or heal in case of injury, neurons do not divide and therefore cannot regenerate upon death. Injuries involving cell death in the brain are severe and often long-lasting \u2014 think <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fneur.2019.00713\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">concussions<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2174\/1570159X16666180302115544\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">strokes<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1750-3639.2004.tb00056.x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">head trauma<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is of vital importance to protect the brain from damage and stresses than can lead to cell death. To uncover mechanisms by which we can protect these crucial cells, we look to nature. Amazingly, many organisms have evolved to live through periods of harsh conditions such as <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.bbagen.2015.02.001\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">low oxygen<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11010-021-04072-x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">dehydration<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1152\/physrev.00016.2016\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">freezing temperatures<\/a>: these conditions would be lethal to a human brain, and yet these animals show no damage to their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"switching-off\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Switching off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Generally, for animals to survive these periods of stress, they must induce a state of <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/s1464793103006195\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">hypometabolism<\/a>. Hypometabolism, or hypometabolic states, occurs when organisms shut down certain biological processes which are not immediately necessary for survival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some examples of animals which use hypometabolism include <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1242\/jeb.066225\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ground squirrels<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2307\/3872551\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bears<\/a>, which hibernate, <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3354\/cr005053\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">frogs, which freeze solid<\/a> over the winter, and snails and certain frogs, which <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1086\/416717\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">estivate<\/a> (enter a state of dormancy) to survive periods of drought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what exactly are the details of hypometabolism, and how does the brain use it to survive? Hypometabolism is a network of various molecular parts and processes that need to work together to achieve a global result: think of an orchestra symphony where the different instruments, notes and sections contribute to a whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MicroRNAs are short, single-stranded RNA molecules that target and attach to messenger RNA (the instructions for making a functional protein) to destroy them and prevent the protein from being made. This allows the protein to be switched off without actually changing the gene that codes for the protein to begin with. This allows microRNAs to change the expression of many different genes which could help brains survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image align-center zoomable\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/459874\/original\/file-20220426-24-ae77t1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/459874\/original\/file-20220426-24-ae77t1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"an image of microDNA on a blue background\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\n              <span class=\"caption\">MicroRNAs are short, single-stranded RNA molecules that affect messenger RNA to change the expression of genes.<\/span><br>\n              <span class=\"attribution\"><span class=\"source\">(Shutterstock)<\/span><\/span><br>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>By looking at the levels and types of microRNA found in the brain tissue of a variety of animals, <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/jmcb\/mjq045\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">our research<\/a> has been trying to shed light on how these molecules make changes to gene expression and promote the survival of neurons through extreme conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"preventing-brain-damage\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preventing brain damage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the animals we study is the wood frog, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology\/rana-sylvatica\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Rana sylvatica<\/em><\/a>, which can survive being completely frozen for extended periods without incurring any brain damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When tissues go through freeze-thaw cycles, they have to deal with ischemia: reduced or halted blood flow to a tissue. In humans, this commonly occurs alongside strokes and causes severe damage, often resulting in the death of large groups of cells. To prevent damage during ischemia, cells have to undergo vast metabolic changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our research suggests that <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00018-018-2821-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">microRNAs could be involved in providing neuroprotection from ischemic brain injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another study we conducted found <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.gene.2015.07.027\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">12 microRNAs<\/a> that were downregulated (fewer microRNAs in dehydrated brains than in \u201cnormal\u201d brains) in response to extreme dehydration in the African clawed frog, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology\/xenopus-laevis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Xenopus laevis<\/em><\/a>. The data suggested that microRNA had a specific role in the frog brain\u2019s response to dehydration &#8211; a response that could involve cell death and\/or an important protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This protein is involved with learning, memory and aging: all of which are affected in human brain injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indeed, further analysis of the downregulated microRNAs showed that they were likely involved in regulating a pathway which may be responsible for memory and learning. These findings show us that microRNA is a key element in the regulation of metabolism in response to environmental stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image align-center zoomable\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/459815\/original\/file-20220426-20-2hvvto.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/459815\/original\/file-20220426-20-2hvvto.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" alt=\"Frogs like the African clawed frog and frozen wood frog may hold the secrets to preventing brain injury\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\n              <span class=\"caption\">The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis (left) and a frozen wood frog Rana sylvatica (right).<\/span><br>\n              <span class=\"attribution\"><span class=\"source\">(Kenneth and Janet Storey)<\/span>, <span class=\"license\">Author provided<\/span><\/span><br>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, we found that in naked mole rats, <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/JCP.30216\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">microRNAs play important roles in coordinating neuroprotective defences which contribute to the tolerance of hypoxia (reduced oxygen)<\/a>. Eighteen different microRNAs were found to have levels that differed significantly in brain tissues subjected to hypoxia, compared with brain tissues held at normal levels of oxygen. Further analyses revealed that these microRNAs had an active role in suppression of energy-expensive processes such as protein production and cellular proliferation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"potential-implications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Potential implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our research found that the changes in specific microRNA can be linked to increased activity in neuroprotective pathways. Clearly, these microRNAs are important for maintaining the brain and future research could seek application in human medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we can understand how animals use microRNA to implement large-scale changes to neural tissues and prevent brain damage, perhaps we could someday learn to apply them in other situations. Understanding how to implement these microRNAs in humans could lead to new therapies. It has the potential to be revolutionary in terms of prevention of brain damage and many other types of tissue damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An interesting way that microRNAs are currently being applied in the medical industry is in treatment of genetic diseases and pathogenic conditions (diseases caused by microorganisms). Several microRNA targeted therapeutics have reached preclinical and clinical trials. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/NRD.2016.246\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">These therapeutics are being developed for a wide variety of conditions<\/a> such as cancers, diabetes, hepatitis and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another interesting avenue that this research could explore would be to unlock hypometabolic states in humans. If we could enter a state of pseudo-hibernation without any damage to the brain \u2014 suspended animation, if you will \u2014 then we could potentially extend lifespans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8212;<br>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/\">Carleton Newsroom<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/178970\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. All photos provided by The Conversation from various sources. The brain is the organ that orchestrates all the diverse functions and complex decisions that take place in biological systems. Despite its critical nature, it is equally as fragile: the neurons that make up [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":410,"featured_media":82008,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_story_type":[1623],"cu_story_tag":[],"class_list":["post-82007","cu_story","type-cu_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","cu_story_type-expert-perspectives"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/82007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/cu_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/410"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/82007\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82011,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/82007\/revisions\/82011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82008"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_story_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_type?post=82007"},{"taxonomy":"cu_story_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_tag?post=82007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}