Eternal youth one step closer to reality as boffins ‘awaken zombie-like cells’

Human beings could live forever with a revolutionary new sound therapy that boffins claim can reverse ageing.

Scientists have turned back the clock on ageing human cells by zapping them with low-frequency sound waves. The treatment awakened them from a ‘zombie-like’ state seen in cells that are no longer dividing.

Cells normally become senescent – or dormant – after a certain number of divisions, often secreting toxins linked to everything from arthritis to Alzheimer's’. But sound therapy can restart division and allow them to heal, a US study found.

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Researchers have tested the therapy on ageing mice, who were soon feeling youthful enough to run further and faster on a treadmill. It even cured one individual’s hunched back, despite making it worse initially.

Professor Michael Sheetz, of the University of Texas, explained: “We treated it twice with ultrasound and it was back to behaving normally. I don’t think rejuvenation is too strong a term.”

Doctors now hope the treatment could help ward off frailty, keeping people fit into their 70s, 80s and beyond. A clinical trial is being planned to make sure it is safe – and see if it could combat age-related diseases.

Prof. Sheetz added: “’Is this too good to be true?’ is the question I often ask. We are examining all aspects of it to see if it really does work.”

The research team found low doses of ultrasound made senescent cells from humans and monkeys start dividing. Human foreskin cells, which normally wear out after about 15 divisions, were able to reach 24 with no signs of abnormalities.

Scientists have guessed the treatment could work by physically distorting cells, producing similar effects to exercise. But Prof. Sheetz admitted: “Aspects of this are still mystifying.”

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A small trial is now underway to find out if the therapy can help people with Alzheimer’s. They will be targeted with ultrasound waves at a frequency of less than 100kHz – well below the 2000kHz used in medical imaging.

Prof. Sheetz also plans to test the treatment on people with osteoarthritis and diabetic foot ulcers. Test subjects will be immersed in warm water to prevent the ultrasound waves from losing power.

Dementia expert Professor Juergen Goetz, of the University of Queensland, described the study as “convincing.” He added: “But I think more work is needed to define the effective ultrasound parameters.”

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