Altered State (IMAGE) Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Caption These microscopic images show structural changes in the intestine of an older mouse approaching 2 years of age (right) compared to intestine from a young 2-3 month old mouse (left). The older intestine has a smaller number of intestinal crypts (mucosal glands) that are wider. Researchers report in Cell Reports that intestinal stem cells (ISCs) age along with the animals, causing detrimental changes to intestinal structures and their function. They also show function can be restored by reactivating the signaling of a key molecule lost in aging intestinal stem cells. Credit Cincinnati Children's Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.