Israeli scientist Michal Schwartz and her team are close to creating an innovative immunotherapy treatment to boost the immune system and slow aging. Their work, recently published in the journal Neuron, is set to transform the understanding of aging and brain health.
Schwartz, a 2023 Israel Prize winner, has spent 27 years researching the immune system’s role in maintaining the brain. Her groundbreaking findings show that the immune system is crucial for the brain’s lifelong function. She believes enhancing specific immune cells could slow aging in both the brain and the body.
“Boosting the immune system for the brain will also benefit the entire body,” Schwartz said during a teleconference.
Immunotherapy for Aging: The Brain-Immune System Link
In 1998, Schwartz challenged the belief that the brain operates independently of the immune system. At the time, scientists thought immune activity in the brain caused harm. Schwartz questioned this idea, suspecting a deeper connection.
Her persistence paid off. After years of skepticism, the scientific community began to acknowledge her findings. Today, her work shows that aging weakens the immune system, contributing to brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Schwartz’s research suggests that targeting the immune system—not the brain directly—could prevent or slow brain deterioration.
Michal Schwartz: Pioneering Treatments
Schwartz co-founded ImmunoBrain, which is testing an antibody treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Antibodies are immune proteins that neutralize harmful substances like viruses and bacteria. This therapy could pave the way for anti-aging immune treatments.
Advancements in this field are rapid. Schwartz predicts significant breakthroughs in the next two to three years
Combating Aging at the Cellular Level
Aging triggers changes in the immune system, including increased inflammation—known as “inflammaging”—and the buildup of senescent or “zombie” cells. These cells, while inactive, spread inflammation and accelerate aging.
Scientists are exploring drugs called senolytics, which target and eliminate these harmful cells. In tests on aged mice, senolytic drugs improved cognitive function. Schwartz believes these treatments could eventually delay the effects of aging in humans.
Practical Tips for Brain Health
While her research focuses on immunotherapy, Schwartz emphasizes the role of lifestyle in brain health. Exercise reduces inflammation, enhances brain function, and slows aging. A balanced, low-calorie diet can also combat inflammation and improve blood flow, preserving memory and learning abilities.
Certain foods naturally contain Quercetin, a senolytic compound. It is found in green tea, berries, apples, onions, and citrus fruits. These dietary habits, combined with regular sleep and stress reduction, further support brain health by boosting the immune system.
Schwartz herself practices what she preaches—although with some exceptions. “I’m stressed, and my nutrition isn’t perfect, but I exercise a lot,” she admitted. Her family and her work remain her greatest sources of joy.
A Hopeful Future
Schwartz remains optimistic. Her ultimate goal is to prevent immune system decline entirely. If successful, her team’s treatments could restore and enhance immune function, offering a new frontier in aging and health.
“We aim to prevent immune system deterioration,” Schwartz said. “With this, we’ll be able to restore it and slow the aging process.”
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