Articles tagged with Gerontology
Vaccination provides multiple benefits, including preventing illness, reducing healthcare costs, and enabling individuals to remain active contributors. Economically, vaccines save $11 in avoided medical costs for every $1 spent on childhood vaccines.
Researchers found that overactive Runx1 gene accelerates age-related degeneration of intervertebral discs, causing premature cellular aging and unhealthy tissue changes. Targeting Runx1 may be a promising strategy to prevent or slow disc aging.
Dr. Sandra Shi has been recognized as a 2025 STAT Wunderkind for her innovative research using national Medicare claims to create a frailty index, which measures the health status of older adults. Her work aims to predict how people will respond to surgeries and medications, tailoring treatment based on results.
Scientists found that CtBP2 levels decrease with age, but are higher in long-lived individuals. This biomarker may estimate the degree of aging and overall health status.
The $3 million National Institute on Aging grant will support the WECARE intervention, a culturally tailored digital health program designed to enhance caregiving skills and improve wellbeing in dementia caregivers. The 7-week program provides informational content, quiz games, social networking, personalized feedback, and individualiz...
A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that individuals living in socially vulnerable neighborhoods showed measurable differences in brain structure and function, including a thinner outer layer of the brain and white matter changes. These findings suggest that the environment in which people live can shape th...
A new study finds that benzodiazepines and antipsychotics prescribed to patients with dementia receiving hospice care may carry major unintended risks, including increased mortality. The study highlights two policy issues: lack of oversight of medication use in hospice and a mismatch between hospice policy and dementia care.
Researchers found that a supplement containing high-molecular-weight hyaluronan preserves muscle mass and exercise capacity in aging mice. The study suggests that targeting the glycocalyx may be a viable therapeutic strategy to treat age-related physical dysfunction.
The new centre supports multiple clinical trials in parallel, enabling comprehensive evaluations of organ health across physiological systems. It also provides hands-on training opportunities for healthcare professionals, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Research found that defense cells of trained older adults are more effective against inflammation and metabolically efficient. Regular exercise modulates inflammatory response over time, reducing markers of inflammation and increasing anti-inflammatory markers.
New traumatic brain injuries in older adults are associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that TBI is linked to an increased rate of incident dementia, even when sustained in late life, and how this risk changes over time.
A new study calls for standardized, transparent, and reproducible methods to evaluate frailty in preclinical aging studies. The researchers analyzed 18 rodent studies and found substantial variation in how frailty is defined and measured.
Researchers found that a combination of oxytocin and an Alk5 inhibitor significantly extended the lifespan and healthspan of frail, elderly male mice, but not female mice. This dual-drug approach reduced chronic inflammation and tissue damage, leading to improved physical endurance and memory in males.
The Singapore government has launched a nationwide initiative to help seniors age well through dance, combining movement, rhythm, and storytelling. The program, co-developed by NUS Nursing and Lions Befrienders, benefits over 280 seniors with improved physical health, cognition, and emotional well-being.
A new national study found nearly one in four older adults who started off in poor health and lower well-being can fully recover within three years. Strong psychological and emotional wellness, maintaining a healthy body weight, regular physical activity, and social engagement were key factors associated with recovery.
A new study found no clear clinical evidence that rapamycin can extend healthspan or delay aging in healthy adults, despite promising results in animal studies. The review suggests that off-label use of rapamycin should be approached with caution due to limited evidence and potential side effects.
Researchers found that cells exiting the cell cycle show stronger signs of senescence and are more sensitive to senolytic drugs. DNA content plays a crucial role in how aging cells function and respond to treatment.
Researchers at Hebrew SeniorLife discovered a U-shaped relationship between home ambient temperature and self-reported attention difficulty in older adults. Attention was optimal between 20°C and 24°C, with worsening difficulties outside this range.
Researchers discovered that FGF21, a muscle hormone released during exercise, is elevated in people with ALS and may play a protective role. Higher levels of FGF21 were associated with slower disease progression and longer survival in patients.
A study led by Syracuse University researchers found that simple resistance training can improve nerve function in older adults, potentially leading to greater independence and quality of life. The training reactivated fast neurons in the muscles, which deteriorate with age, allowing for faster muscle activation and improved strength.
A study found that older adults with Parkinson's disease have a higher rate of brain amyloid positivity compared to younger patients, even without dementia. The researchers suggest this may indicate an accelerated transition from healthy cognition to dementia in PD patients.
The Gerontological Society of America invites journalists to its 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting, featuring over 600 scientific sessions on aging research and innovations. More than 4,000 professionals are expected in Boston from November 12-15.
A new report from The Gerontological Society of America provides summaries of key articles on brain health, focusing on early diagnosis and interventions for dementia. The selected articles address topics such as biomarkers, cognitive assessments, and caregiver support, offering actionable strategies for primary care providers.
Researchers used AI to identify shared biological features between aging and fibrosis, finding new potential targets for therapy. The study found that IPF is not simply accelerated aging, but a unique biological condition shaped by age-related dysfunction.
Researchers discovered elevated TSPO levels in the brain of genetically engineered mouse models and human patients with familial Alzheimer's disease, indicating a potential biomarker for early detection. The study aims to explore how blocking or enhancing TSPO could halt disease progression.
A study found that older adults are discontinuing benzodiazepines soon after hospital discharge, but many continue use for months, posing health risks. Researchers recommend targeting high-risk patients with deprescribing strategies to prevent chronic use.
Researchers evaluated a tool based on NCCN Guidelines to identify high-risk medications and their association with frailty and outcomes in over 380,000 older adults diagnosed with cancer. The study found that each additional high-risk medication increased the odds of being mildly or moderately-to-severely frail by 66%.
A new perspective suggests that food-derived signals can modulate biological aging by influencing lifestyle choices such as diet, physical activity, and sleep. Targeted nutritional approaches have been shown to slow down aging and preserve cognitive function, highlighting the potential of precision nutrition interventions.
A study by Dr. Esther Sternberg highlights the importance of social engagement, intellectual stimulation, purposeful activity, humor, and spiritual exploration in achieving exceptional cognitive and social functioning in advanced age. Dr. Reichlin's example challenges conventional assumptions about aging trajectories.
Thirteen journalists from diverse outlets have been awarded fellowships to explore aging-related topics, including climate change, healthcare access, and caregiving. The Gerontological Society of America and the Journalists Network on Generations are supporting these projects through a collaborative program.
Researchers found significant causal relationships between gut microbiome characteristics and age-related traits, including ApoM protein levels. The study suggests targeting the gut microbiota may help delay or reduce age-related inflammation and disease.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation identifies critical global barriers to osteoporosis care, including limited DXA scanning and outdated treatment criteria. The IOF advocates for a paradigm shift in bone health management worldwide, recognizing high fracture risk as a valid criterion for treatment and reimbursement.
A new review emphasizes the importance of both physical activity and reduced sedentary time for optimal skeletal health. Emerging evidence reveals that prolonged sitting and inactivity can harm bone health, even among regular exercisers.
Researchers propose idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as a disease-specific treatment to test general geroprotector therapies, leveraging its high overlap with aging biology. This approach could accelerate drug development and reduce costs by targeting shared biological pathways.
Researchers found that exosomes from senescent cells and circulatory exosomes carry molecular signatures associated with biological aging and cellular senescence. These signatures include proteins, lipids, and microRNAs linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue remodeling.
A major international review found that targeted approaches such as regular supervised exercise, vitamin D supplements, and improved nutrition can significantly reduce falls in aged care homes. The study also highlights the importance of individualized programs delivered with strong staff engagement.
Researchers found that AUF1 helps prevent aging by breaking down enzymes involved in glucose metabolism. The study's findings improve our understanding of how metabolism affects the aging process.
Researchers found that faster biological aging is associated with lower scores on digital cognitive tests, particularly among older adults. DNA methylation patterns were used to estimate biological age acceleration, and protein markers PAI1 and ADM showed strong associations with lower cognitive scores.
Sarah Khasawinah joins GSA as a visiting scholar, contributing to the organization's work in policy arena. She brings extensive experience in crafting bipartisan aging policies and has led key initiatives on Alzheimer's disease, brain health, and caregiving.
A new study by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology researchers finds that Americans with less education are aging faster, with the gap growing over 30 years. The study measured biological aging, which looks at how well organs and systems work, and found that people with more education have slower biological aging.
Researchers found that cancer does not typically affect forensic age estimation accuracy, except for very aggressive forms of cancer. In contrast, blood cancers led to large errors, with ages overestimated by up to 50 years.
Research highlights preventable harms of intensive diabetes and hypertension treatment in frail older adults, calling for personalized care approaches that prioritize patient safety. Guidelines recommend cautious individualized care, but complications remain alarmingly common.
Two new studies from Karolinska Institutet investigate how somatic mutations in muscles and blood vessels affect ageing. The results show that such mutations can reduce muscle strength and accelerate blood vessel ageing.
A study of over 40 research studies found that older adults often don't understand the risk of extreme heat and aren't prepared for long periods of hot weather. The researchers suggest that individuals themselves go through transformations as they age, which can affect their bodies' reactions to heat.
The GSA Guide provides essential strategies to support older patients in making informed healthcare decisions. Topics include addressing age-related bias, understanding cultural health beliefs, and fostering collaborative provider-patient relationships.
Girls who go through puberty before age 11 have double the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and obesity, while women who give birth before 21 have quadruple the risk. Later puberty and childbirth are associated with longer lifespan, lower frailty, and reduced disease risk.
A new GSA report provides guidance on pain management and opioid reversal for older adults and their caregivers. The report emphasizes the importance of having naloxone in the home to prevent opioid overdoses, and offers a decision tree to guide actions in case of an apparent overdose.
A new study suggests that regular exercise can influence epigenetic aging and potentially reverse it, offering a promising way to extend healthspan. Physical fitness is closely associated with slower epigenetic aging, and sedentary behavior may have detrimental effects on the body's internal aging process.
Researchers found that the primary somatosensory cortex, responsible for processing sensory information, has a layered structure that ages differently. The middle and upper layers remain stable or even thicken with age, while the lower layers show age-related degeneration, providing evidence for neuroplasticity.
SuperAgers, individuals with exceptional memory performance beyond their age, have been studied for 25 years. Their brains show a distinct neurobiological profile, linked to resistance and resilience mechanisms that may prevent Alzheimer's disease progression.
The report provides evidence-based strategies to improve communication between clinicians and patients 65 and older, addressing common barriers such as low health literacy and cognitive changes. It emphasizes adapting communication techniques to use simpler instructions and maintaining patient dignity and autonomy., A new guide from th...
Researchers discovered that components in young human blood serum can restore youthful properties to skin when combined with bone marrow cells. This study highlights the role of bone marrow in supporting skin health and may lead to novel approaches to address age-related changes.
The Gerontological Society of America has elected new officers, including Blanka Rogina as Vice President. The organization, which serves over 6,000 members worldwide, aims to advance aging research, education, and practice through innovation and collaboration.
A study found that aging selectively degrades essential DNA- and RNA-binding proteins, contributing to neurodegenerative disease hallmarks. This impairment triggers the decline of proteostasis, leading to protein aggregation and age-related brain changes.
The HELO survey reveals a population seeking optimal health and lifespan, yet lacking the necessary knowledge and access. Key findings include strong public interest in Healthy Longevity Medicine clinics across all age groups, with older adults showing clear enthusiasm for preventive care.
Researchers found that taking blood thinners like warfarin does not significantly increase the risk of brain bleeding after blunt head trauma, contradicting previous assumptions. In fact, patients with poorly controlled warfarin activity had the highest bleeding risk.
A large-scale study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that individuals experiencing persistent and intense grief are nearly twice as likely to die within 10 years after losing a loved one. The study followed a cohort of 1,735 bereaved individuals and found that those with high grief symptom levels had significantly higher r...
The National Center to Reframe Aging is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to develop effective communication strategies for senior community centers. Effective reframing will increase public awareness, engagement, and investment in these vital spaces where older people can remain active, connected, and valued.
Breakthroughs in treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) include FDA-approved pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol, targeting the complement system to slow geographic atrophy progression. Anti-VEGF therapies like faricimab also offer extended dosing intervals, reducing injection frequency.
A new poll suggests that older adults are divided on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), with some expressing curiosity and others skepticism. The study found that nearly all participants wanted clear labeling of AI-generated information, while also acknowledging its potential benefits for independent living. However, many express...