Articles tagged with Gerontology
Higher TMAO concentrations were associated with older age, cardiometabolic risk factors, and brain atrophy, but not cognitive performance. The study suggests TMAO may be a marker of systemic aging processes rather than a direct mediator of neurodegeneration.
A large UK study found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may reduce the risk of dementia, particularly for women who have undergone surgical menopause. The study, which followed over 180,000 postmenopausal women, found that HRT was associated with a 16% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease compared to non-users.
A new review suggests metformin's interactions with multiple hallmarks of aging, including cellular energy balance, nutrient-sensing pathways, and epigenetic regulation. The study identifies strong evidence for metformin's effects on aging biology, including improved insulin sensitivity and reduced oxidative stress.
A new blood test detects Alzheimer's disease using plasma amyloid-β seeding activity, achieving a diagnostic accuracy exceeding 90% in the validation cohort. The test uses real-time ultrasonic protein misfolding cyclic amplification technology, marking a critical transition in AD diagnosis.
A new study from MIT researchers found that language skills remain stable in older adults, with nearly identical brain activity to young adults, while other cognitive functions decline. The study suggests that parts of the brain specialized for specific functions, such as language processing, may be more resilient to aging.
Researchers found that silencing POLG1 and POLG2 reduced mtDNA content, impaired mitochondrial function, and decreased stemness-related properties in breast cancer cells. POLG inhibition also suppressed colony formation and mammosphere growth, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker in breast cancer.
Researchers used AI to predict genes leading to hematopoietic stem cell aging, finding a regulatory hub in the form of gene-regulating factor Pbx1. Aged stem cells activate two gene programs, one preserving immaturity and the other preparing cells for platelet production.
The 13th Aging Research and Drug Discovery Meeting (ARDD) 2026 will bring together leading researchers, clinicians, and industry experts to advance aging research and accelerate age-related disease interventions. Aging is proud to support ARDD as a media partner, promoting the event through its digital and social media channels.
A study by Keio University researchers has identified two blood proteins, beta-2-microglobulin and cystatin C, that are consistently associated with future disability in adults aged 85 years and older. These biomarkers have the potential to enable earlier interventions and preventive support.
A new app, WeCareAdvisor, has shown promise in improving the quality of life for dementia caregivers by providing a systematic approach to manage behavioral symptoms. Caregivers who used the app reported significant reductions in distress and behavioral symptoms, as well as improved well-being.
Scientists have discovered a new connection between energy-producing mitochondria and chronic inflammation in senescent cells, which promotes age-related diseases. Blocking a related gene and using a drug called CTPI-2 reduced inflammation and promoted healthier aging in mice.
A new study reveals how memories change with age, with older adults struggling to recall specific details and general knowledge becoming more prominent. The research highlights the importance of understanding how memory evolves over a lifetime, shedding light on how to support healthy cognitive ageing.
This theme issue explores clinical efficacy, seamless support systems, and ethical AI integration for home-based care. Research topics include 'invisible' monitoring, computer vision, socio-technical drivers of AI adoption, and clinical implementation.
Researchers from the University of Osaka have found a rare type of immune cell that expands in supercentenarians, potentially helping protect against cancer and other age-related threats. The cells, known as CD4 CTLs, have been shown to be highly active and may help the body cope with persistent threats that increase with age.
Insilico Medicine introduces the Virtual Aging Cell (VAC) platform, which leverages multi-agent AI to simulate cellular processes, including differentiation, reprogramming, and aging. The VAC platform aims to support target identification, cellular fate intervention, novel drug discovery, and geroscience research.
A study found 161 differentially expressed genes in individuals with opioid dependence, including genes involved in immune and inflammatory processes. The researchers also developed a transcriptomic aging clock that predicts chronological age from gene expression patterns.
A meta-analysis of nearly 1,900 studies found that climbing stairs significantly reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Regular stair climbing was associated with lower risks of heart-related problems and major cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
After 18 years of leadership, GSA CEO James C. Appleby is stepping down, leaving behind a strong foundation for the organization's continued growth and impact. The Board of Directors will begin a national search for a new CEO to build upon this foundation and guide the organization towards emerging opportunities.
A new study published in Diabetes Care found that older adults with type 2 diabetes are at a higher fracture risk, but bone loss alone does not explain this increased risk. Researchers used a novel bone imaging device to analyze cortical and trabecular bone density, microarchitecture, and strength, and found that changes in these areas...
Misha Blagosklonny's work challenged traditional paradigms in aging biology, proposing that persistent growth-promoting signals drive age-related pathology. His hyperfunction theory integrates evolutionary concepts with molecular pathways, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding aging.
An international study of 974 participants aged 50-94 found a strong correlation between ageist attitudes and self-reported memory failures. The results indicate that individuals with more restrictive views on older adult behavior experienced greater memory problems, regardless of their country of origin.
A new ACC Scientific Statement highlights the importance of considering cognitive impairment and frailty in cardiovascular care for older adults. The statement outlines practical strategies for prevention, screening, assessment, and management, aiming to improve outcomes such as independence, mobility, and caregiver burden.
The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology has received a $7.5 million grant to establish GeroSCORE, a national hub for discovery and collaboration on sex differences in aging. The center will conduct innovative research, develop new tools and analytical methods, and serve as a resource for early-career investigators.
A new research perspective proposes that developmental and growth programs continue operating beyond their beneficial period, driving aging. Programmatic mechanisms of aging are supported by evidence from animal models and experimental observations.
The Gerontological Society of America has announced its newest elected officers, consisting of Vice President Edward Alan Miller and Secretary Sherry A. Greenberg. The organization, founded in 1945, aims to foster excellence, innovation, and collaboration in aging research, education, practice, and policy.
A new study reveals that patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have elevated lipocalin-2 levels and exhibit early signs of cardiovascular and cognitive impairment. The findings highlight the importance of considering MASLD as a systemic condition affecting multiple organ systems.
ISM9077 boasts potent inhibition across species, excellent exposure and permeability traits, and a favorable safety profile in preclinical studies. It modulates pathological inflammation, supporting broad indication expansion into therapeutic areas like aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
A study of 5,500 individuals aged 50+ found that both conditions alone increase the risk of death, but together it more than doubles. Abdominal obesity and vitamin D deficiency create a vicious cycle, exacerbating chronic inflammation and impairing bodily functions.
A new report finds that delayed discharges and poor hospital environments keep people with dementia in hospitals unnecessarily, costing £328 million annually. The study suggests community-centric approaches can reduce hospitalisations and improve care.
A $3.2 million NIH grant will support a five-year study investigating the role of thymulin, a hormone produced by the thymus, in age-related inflammation and cancer. The research aims to explore whether thymulin can improve cancer immunotherapy outcomes, particularly in older individuals.
The LifeAfter90 study found that women 90 and older are at two-fold greater risk for dementia, while Black participants have a 75% greater risk than Asian participants. APOE2's protective effects continue past age 90, reducing risk by 60%, but APOE4 increases the risk among men and Black participants.
The Gerontological Society of America appreciates Senate appropriators' efforts to ensure federal grant funding is administered consistently with congressional intent. This decision delays implementation of a proposed rule that would place political appointees in charge of approving federal grants, affecting 42 federal agencies.
A new combination therapy selectively targets cancer cells and senescent cells by exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities, improving physical performance and extending lifespan. The treatment eliminates senescent cells, reduces cancer cell viability and improves metabolic profiles in aged mice.
A UC Irvine psychologist is using a massive longitudinal dataset to investigate how daily social connections shape our bodies and minds over time. The researcher aims to understand the 'ripple effect' of small, everyday moments on long-term health outcomes.
The article proposes a healthspan-focused framework for Italy's National Health Service to promote healthy aging, prevent chronic diseases, and improve functional independence. The framework emphasizes prevention-oriented approaches, personalized healthcare, and multidisciplinary research.
A new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University highlights a significant disconnect between those who use AI health tools and those who create and fund them. The study reveals that key stakeholders have fundamentally different definitions of value, usability, and cost, creating systemic barriers to technology adoption.
Researchers found that long-term systemic treatment with senolytic PROTAC 753b slowed several features of age-related intervertebral disc degeneration in male mice, preserving extracellular matrix protein aggrecan and reducing inflammatory markers. However, female mice showed little improvement, suggesting a sex-specific response.
Biochar's performance in soil depends on its feedstock, production conditions, interactions with microorganisms, and aging processes. Practical measurements are needed to assess its functionality.
Researchers at Kyushu University identified a molecule that strengthens hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a key muscle-repair signal. The compound, lipoic acid trisulfide (LASSS), enhances HGF's binding affinity for satellite cells, restoring its ability to repair muscle fibers and counteracting age-related muscle loss.
Researchers have identified transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) as a highly selective surface marker of senescent β-cells in both mice and humans. This discovery provides an important step toward developing targeted senotherapies that could preserve insulin secretion and slow the progression of type 2 diabetes.
Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC identified a hormone produced by the thymus that keeps inflammation under control. As we age, levels of this hormone decrease, allowing diseases like cancer to progress. Increasing this hormone improved cancer survival and made immunotherapy more effective in older mice.
Researchers found that preserving peroxisomes preserves mitochondrial health during aging by maintaining long, interconnected mitochondrial networks and reducing oxidative stress. The study identifies peroxisome homeostasis as a promising area for future aging research.
Researchers found that females with live offspring had lower late-life frailty, contradicting previous theories on a potential reproductive cost. The study used companion dogs to investigate the relationship between reproduction and aging, revealing a unique link between parity and robustness.
Researchers found that tissue-resident macrophages, responsible for clearing senescent cells, become dysfunctional with age, leading to chronic inflammation and organ damage. Blocking a specific receptor on these cells preserved youthfulness of multiple organs in mice.
Researchers discovered that senescent cells accumulate high levels of triacylglycerols and increase glycolytic activity, leading to increased lipid droplet accumulation. This finding suggests that lipid droplets may contribute to the harmful effects of senescent microglia in Alzheimer’s disease.
A new study reveals that macrophages, a key immune cell type, age differently across tissues and between sexes. The researchers found that aging macrophages become more focused on responding to stress and cellular damage, but lose some molecular programs involved in maintaining healthy tissue structure.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that older adults who undergo high-risk emergency general surgery spend significantly fewer days living independently at home after surgery. The researchers analyzed outcomes for nearly 30,000 individuals aged 66 and older using a patient-centered measure...
A new GSA report emphasizes the critical role of primary care providers in detecting and managing cognitive decline, with a focus on actionable insights for clinicians. The report highlights advances in diagnostic technology and modifiable lifestyle factors linked to brain health outcomes.
Sarcopenia affects over 60% of individuals above age 80 and is influenced by distinct biological mechanisms in women and men. Hormones like apelin, insulin, and oxytocin play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skeletal muscle, with sex-specific differences affecting muscle aging and disease progression.
A new study found that simple weekly electronic symptom check-ins with care teams significantly improves the quality of life for individuals undergoing treatment for advanced cancer. The benefits were notable among patient groups that historically faced barriers to care, including Black patients and those with less formal education.
Researchers found that ZIP9 deletion in mice led to premature death, spatial memory deficits, and reduced cognitive flexibility, with significant changes in PSD95, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels. The study suggests a brain–gut–key molecule network connecting cognitive function, gut microbiota, and lipid metabolism.
The Gerontological Society of America has named 50 new fellows for their outstanding contributions to the field of gerontology. The fellows, chosen from across GSA's membership groups, represent diverse activities including research, teaching, and public service.
The Gerontological Society of America honors researchers, leaders, and mentors who have made significant contributions to the field of aging. This year's awardees include Heather M. Young, Jeffrey M. Hausdorff, and Briana Mezuk, among others. Their work has been recognized for its excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Cellular senescence is a stable form of cell-cycle arrest induced by intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. The review highlights the importance of understanding how different initiating events shape distinct senescent cell phenotypes, contributing to chronic inflammation, tissue dysfunction, cancer, and age-related diseases.
A comprehensive systematic review clarifies life expectancy across rare progeria disorders, revealing striking differences among subtypes. The analysis demonstrates that patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome have a median survival of 16 years, while those with mandibuloacral dysplasia type B have a median survival of 37 ye...
A new review investigates the impact of aging, stress, and behavior on endocrine dysfunctions in nonhuman primates. The study finds that older monkeys with depression-like behavior exhibit impaired regulation of stress responses and thyroid function, leading to increased disease risk.
Recent research suggests that senescence often limits stem cell activity in normal tissues but can also promote tumor progression in cancer. Understanding the dynamic interplay between these two biological processes is crucial for developing safer regenerative therapies and more effective cancer treatments.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that Japan's Location Optimization Plan can lead to higher care burdens in small municipalities. Small cities with populations under 50,000 saw increased Long-Term Care Insurance certification counts after adopting the policy, indicating rising service demands.
Researchers found that a 12-week lifestyle program combining exercise guidance, dietary counseling, and daily yogurt consumption significantly slowed DunedinPACE, an epigenetic measure of biological aging. The intervention resulted in a modest but statistically significant slowing of the pace of aging, corresponding to a 2.2% reduction.
The GSA has released a new online version of the KAER Toolkit, providing practical tools to integrate evidence-based obesity care into routine practice. The toolkit emphasizes treating obesity as a chronic disease and includes strategies for managing older adults using medications.