Stanford scientists find sea squirts reverse aging in mice

Stanford University scientists announced that a compound extracted from edible sea squirts can reverse several signs of aging in older mice, according to a study released on Tuesday. The researchers fed the mice a supplement of plasmalogens—special fats found in the animals’ tissues—and observed marked improvements in memory, learning, and physical appearance.

The work comes as scientists seek new ways to slow or reverse the ageing process. Sea squirts, or tunicates, have long attracted attention because they produce unique lipids that are rare in other animals. Previous studies have linked plasmalogens to brain health, but this is the first time they have been shown to reverse age‑related decline in a living organism. The team’s focus on an edible species also hints at the possibility of a safe, natural source for future therapies.

In the experiments, mice that were 18 months old—roughly the equivalent of a 60‑year‑old human—were given the supplement for three months. The treated animals showed a 30‑percent boost in tasks that measure spatial memory and a 25‑percent increase in the number of connections between brain cells. Inflammation markers fell by half, and the mice developed thicker, darker hair that had faded in the control group. The researchers attribute these effects to the plasmalogens’ ability to support cell membranes and protect synapses from oxidative damage.

The next step is to test the supplement in larger animals and, eventually, in human trials. Stanford’s team plans to collaborate with industry partners to scale up production and to study long‑term safety. If the results translate to people, the compound could become part of a new class of anti‑aging interventions that target the brain and the body simultaneously. The discovery also underscores the value of marine biodiversity as a source of novel medicines.