A basic intro to the geroscience field, in Scientific American magazine.
The geroscience hypothesis holds that targeting molecular pathways that drive aging can give us more healthy years. Evidence is mounting
By Eric Verdin, Gordon Lithgow
For most people, aging means inevitable and irreversible decline. Our bodies wear down, our cells malfunction and we become more susceptible to diseases. But new research from the emerging field of geroscience is modifying this narrative. If this new research bears fruit, it would mean progress toward a goal that’s as old as humanity: to add years to people’s lives, and ensure that those years are filled with vitality and independence.
Geoscience rests on the notion that aging itself, rather than individual diseases, is the root cause of many chronic conditions. To explore this hypothesis, scientists have focused on understanding and targeting the biological mechanisms of aging with the goal of extending both lifespan and healthspan, or the number of healthy years.
Extending healthspan would improve the quality of life for millions of people and reduce the burden of aging-related diseases. Baby boomers, most now well beyond the age of 65, are grappling with conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s and frailty, which not only reduce quality of life but place immense pressure on families, healthcare systems and economies.
Many geroscientists believe that the biological mechanisms of aging are both malleable and treatable. Researchers in clinics and laboratories around the world are now testing this notion. If it turns out to be correct, it could be possible to slow aging or even reverse it.
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Emerging therapies like metformin and rapamycin seek to replicate CR’s benefits without the need for strict dietary intervention. Metformin, a widely used anti-diabetic drug, activates AMPK, a cellular energy sensor, while dampening mTOR signaling—key pathways implicated in aging. By improving glucose metabolism, reducing oxidative stress and modulating gene expression, metformin shows promise in delaying age-related diseases. The TAME trial is currently testing its potential to reduce the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline in humans.
Rapamycin, a potent inhibitor of mTOR, also mimics CR’s effects and extends lifespan in multiple species, even when administered late in life. It enhances autophagy, reduces cellular senescence and improves immune function. Clinical studies have shown rapamycin can rejuvenate the immune system in older adults and may mitigate age-related cardiac dysfunction. However, its immunosuppressive effects require careful monitoring.
Together, CR, metformin and rapamycin target the fundamental mechanisms of aging, offering hope for interventions that could extend healthspan and reduce the burden of age-associated diseases.
What Drives the Aging Process:
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