CO-HOST AFAR: TARGETING AGING—THE NEXT BIG MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH

Abstract

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Aging underlies all the major causes of death and disability in humans. Over the past two decades, basic researchers have been remarkably successful in identifying the underlying processes of aging, and by modifying those processes have discovered multiple methods of extending life and preserving health in experimental laboratory animals. Although early work relied mostly on dietary or genetic interventions, recently a number of pharmaceutical treatments also appear to slow aging in the laboratory. These successes, combined with the demographic imperative of an aging globe, suggest that it is time to begin to translate these successes into human therapies that in principle could delay many or most diseases and debilitating conditions of later life. Symposium participants will present recent research illuminating the promise for human health. Dr. Austad will present a brief overview of the current state of basic aging research. Dr. Kaeberlein will describe how inhibition of a key biochemical network in mice has already been successfully used to dramatically improve health and how its use in dogs is preparing the stage for human trials. Dr. Kirkland will describe the remarkable health effects brought about by eliminating senescent cells in mice. Finally, Dr. Barzilai will outline the rationale and a specific research plan for the first drug trial in humans aimed at delaying aging.