A new study funded by the National Institute on Aging underlines the important contribution of biological age watches to the science of longevity. The researchers analyzed data from more than 3,500 participants aged 51 years and older to determine the link between epigenetic aging and age-related health outcomes. They found that second and third generation epigenetic clocks (GrimAge, PhenoAge, DunedInPace) consistently predicted health outcomes including cognitive impairment, functional limitations, chronic diseases, and mortality. According to NIA, the results of the study suggest that, in addition to traditional social and behavioral predictors of health, epigenetic age measurements are a valuable tool for aging research and predicting health outcomes later in life.

A number of large epidemiological studies have shown that long-term exposure to increased air pollution accelerates the onset and progression of age-related diseases. As a mechanism, it is assumed that particulate matter causes increased chronic inflammation through its interaction with the lungs and other tissues, which in turn contributes to cell and tissue dysfunction that leads to age-related diseases.

Researchers at Cambridge University have used the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the search for new drugs to treat Parkinson's disease.

Researchers from CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences have discovered that defense cells are constantly stimulated by healthy tissue to keep them ready to respond to pathogens. Their study in mice suggests future medications could be devised to selectively enhance our immune system's attention.

Advances are now paving the way toward applications that just years ago seemed unattainable, such as analyzing DNA methylation patterns during surgeries to classify and manage malignancies, epigenetically manipulating adipose cells to treat obesity, and reversing disease-related cellular aging.

Scientists from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) have discovered a precursor to the disease in the blood of people who later develop multiple sclerosis (MS). This discovery could speed up the treatment of MS patients.

Researchers have used single-cell technologies and advanced imaging techniques to analyze human skeletal muscle samples across the lifespan and create a comprehensive atlas of aging muscles. The map provides insights into the processes that underlie age-related muscle changes, reveals cell populations that could explain why some muscle fibers age faster than others, and identifies compensatory mechanisms by which muscles counteract aging. The results could reveal strategies for therapies that improve muscle health in old age.

A review of studies suggests that antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, and blood sugar lowering drugs have the potential to slow down the aging process in animal models. However, research in humans is limited, often with short follow-up periods and conflicting results. To fill this gap, a recent study looked at how commonly prescribed medications affect functional aging, cognitive function, and frailty. The study was based on data from three population-based longitudinal studies conducted in Sweden between 1986 and 2014. The researchers looked at information from people aged 65 and over and focused on the 21 most used drug groups in the Swedish population in 2022.

Switching on a light and understanding and controlling the internal dynamics of a cell — the Dimova Group has succeeded in doing so. The team irradiated cell replicates with different colors of light and thus changed the interactions between the cell elements. Controlling these complex processes could make it possible to deliver drugs specifically into cells in the future. At the push of a button, this administration could be adjusted or even reversed, which could revolutionize the treatment of cells in an intelligent, precise and non-invasive way.

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Aging Cell, researchers have found that longer-living Chinese women have less epigenetic noise in critical areas of their genomes. This finding is based on previous research that has linked an accumulation of epigenetic noise to age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and vascular disorders. The team analyzed samples from different age groups and found that although the total entropy of methylation increases with age, the entropy in long-lived people is more like that of people 40 years younger. Interestingly, these long-lived individuals had significantly lower entropy for genes that are considered essential, suggesting a potential protective mechanism against age-related diseases.

Long genes, which are more susceptible to DNA damage, could be one of the main causes of aging and play a role in the development of diseases such as Alzheimer's, say scientists.

New research suggests that factors such as diabetes, alcohol consumption, and traffic-related pollution may damage a part of the brain associated with dementia. The affected brain region is the last to develop in adolescence and the first to deteriorate in old age. The study also looked at genetic factors that could influence the effects of modifiable factors on dementia risk.

A new study has found a link between early menopause, a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a subsequent risk of dementia.

The gut microbiome differs between men and women with obesity and interventions may need to be changed based on this knowledge.

Smartphones may help detect the early onset of dementia, with a study showing that app-based cognitive testing can reliably identify frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and low nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels are characteristic of skeletal muscle aging and sarcopenia, but it is unclear whether these defects result from local changes or are mediated by systemic or dietary influences. This study reports a functional relationship between circulating levels of the natural alkaloid trigonelline, which is structurally related to nicotinic acid, NAD+ levels, and muscle health in various species.

The experts have investigated the question of whether Alzheimer's disease can be caused by microbes, possibly via the antimicrobial properties of amyloid. Although there is an association with Alzheimer's risk, it is not known whether exposure to microbes is necessary or sufficient for the development or progression of Alzheimer's disease. The most important discussion points of the symposium are also summarized and areas with high research potential are highlighted.

Researchers from the universities of Leeds and Lancaster have identified a new potential target molecule for Alzheimer's disease. Their study in mice shows that reducing the activity of the enzyme PDE4B protects against Alzheimer's and could be a useful treatment approach.

Researchers at the Estonian Biobank, which currently contains samples from more than 200,000 people, will sequence 10,000 genomes using PacBio's long-read hi-fi sequencing technology. At the beginning of last year, the University of Tartu received a grant of 30 million euros, partly from the European Commission and partly from the Estonian government, to set up a competence center for personalized medicine in Estonia.

Researchers have identified two proteins that influence the function of immune cells, known as macrophages, in fat-rich tissue. This discovery deepens the understanding of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and could provide new approaches for therapies.

Scientists are on the verge of developing a drug that mimics the cellular benefits of exercise for people who are unable to engage in physical activity.

Scientists have discovered a technique that can be used to increase the regenerative properties of stem cells from umbilical cord blood, which could improve the results of bone marrow transplants. A method that improves the functionality of an often overlooked type of stem cell could lead to better treatments for blood disorders.

This article provides an overview of recent progress in identifying biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people worldwide. He discusses the use of various algorithms and research into biological processes to find potential targets against Alzheimer's. In addition, it includes a statistical analysis of key genes, which shows overlaps with AD-relevant gene sets from databases such as AlzGen, GeneCard and DisgeNet. Enrichment analyses, analyses of protein-protein interaction networks, and tissue-specific network analyses based on the GTEX database are also being carried out to identify key genes and improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's.

CRISPR-based genome editing has revolutionized life sciences and human medicine and offers unprecedented opportunities to understand complex biological processes and get to the root of genetic diseases. This review explores the current state of CRISPR technology in research and therapy, addressing limitations and recent innovations. It also outlines the landscape of gene editing applications in human health and therapy, and discusses potential future developments that could shape the field in the coming years.

Researchers from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California (UC) San Diego have discovered thousands of previously unknown bile acids, a type of molecule that our gut microbiome uses to communicate with the rest of the body. This discovery may contribute to a better understanding of our gut microbiome and lead to the development of therapies for gut microbiome diseases such as type 2 diabetes, bowel disorders, and others.

Biological age, which differs from chronological age, is decisive for health assessment. Using metabolome and marker analyses, we identified a signature of 25 metabolites, the HAM index, which predicts healthy aging in all demographic groups. Three key metabolites have been linked to the biological aging process. Increased markers of SASP were observed in rapidly aging people. Our study highlights the metabolic pathways underlying aging and the potential of the HAM index as a predictor of human aging.

Lifestyle choices related to physical fitness have profound effects on various aspects of age-related wear and tear. Atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fat deposits in the walls of blood vessels, is particularly affected by these decisions. Atherosclerosis leads to the formation of atheromas, which can burst and cause strokes and heart attacks, making it one of the main causes of death worldwide. The disease is caused by a disorder of cholesterol transport and immune cells called macrophages, which are responsible for removing excess cholesterol from the vascular walls. Over a lifetime, lifestyle choices that affect inflammation levels, immune function, and blood cholesterol levels can change the risk of developing atherosclerosis later on. Maintaining physical fitness over decades is an important factor in reducing this risk.

The composition of the intestinal microbiome changes with age: the number of beneficial microorganisms that produce metabolites decreases, while the number of inflammatory microbes increases. In addition to these age-related changes, research suggests that the gut microbiome of people with Alzheimer's disease is significantly different from that of people without Alzheimer's disease. This points to a possible connection between the gut microbiome and the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease, even though the exact mechanisms are still unclear. Although inflammation plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease, the effects of an Alzheimer-like gut microbiome may not be solely due to increased levels of chronic inflammation compared to other older people. Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms underlying the relationship between the gut microbiome and Alzheimer's disease.

The fasting diet was created from an attempt to determine the threshold above which the positive effects of fasting begin. The researchers tried to find out from which food intake fasting could still be considered effective. It turned out that a dietary intake of around 600 calories per day is enough to make the positive effects of fasting noticeable. In addition, a five-day fast leads to positive metabolic changes that can last for months. Clinical trials have confirmed the effectiveness of fasting as a complementary therapy to cancer treatment. The fasting cure can also be carried out at home without having to strictly follow an official diet plan. By controlling calorie intake and choosing foods wisely, individuals can imitate the effects of fasting. Recent research shows that fasting contributes to a reduction in biological age by several years after Klemera-Doubal. In addition, it influences a measure of the aging of the immune system, which leads to fascinating results in this area of research.

This review focuses on Alzheimer's disease, which is characterized by cognitive impairment that affects daily life and is linked to the formation of amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tau fibrils. Recent findings point to a link between gut microbiota and Alzheimer's disease, with individuals with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) having a lower diversity of microbiota. Studies point to similarities in the gut microbiota of MCI and Alzheimer patients, which provides insights into the pathogenesis before dementia. The review also addresses lifestyle and dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, DASH, MIND, and the ketogenic diet as potential non-pharmacotherapeutic approaches to modulate neuropathological AD markers. The aim is to better understand the function of the intestinal microbiota, the effects of diet and its links to Alzheimer's disease, taking into account factors such as genetics, age, antibiotics and diet.

This study examines the association between abdominal obesity and cognitive function in older adults and addresses the discrepancy between body mass index (BMI) and risk of dementia. While BMI may not adequately reflect nutritional status in old age, recent studies suggest that abdominal obesity, which is measured by waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, may be a better indicator of brain health. The research investigates the effects of visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation on cognitive functions over a period of 10 years and is intended to provide insights into modifiable risk factors for dementia in aging populations. Specifically, the study analyses longitudinal data from older adults living in the community, examining the relationship between abdominal adipose tissue and cognitive decline in men and women separately.

This study examines the global trend towards ultra-processed foods, which are characterized by a high industrial share and a minimal proportion of whole foods, and their effects on dietary patterns and health. It highlights the increasing consumption of these products worldwide, which is attributable to behavioral, environmental and commercial factors. Concerns arise from their nutrient-poor profile and potential health consequences, including chronic inflammatory diseases. Despite growing interest, there is currently no comprehensive review that summarizes the meta-analytical findings on the links between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and negative health consequences. The present review aims to fill this gap and provide insights for health policy and strategies to reduce the risks associated with eating ultra-processed foods.

This review examines the crucial role of telomere biology in the aging process, in which telomere degradation acts both as a protective mechanism and as a contributor to tissue degeneration and age-related diseases. Given increasing life expectancy and the associated burden on health systems, strategies to promote healthy aging and curb age-related diseases are crucial. The study outlines recent research efforts aimed at influencing telomere shortening, including research on telomerase activators, tankyrase inhibitors, and the effects of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and statins, and highlights their potential to promote wellbeing, healthy aging, and longevity.

A groundbreaking study from Stanford University Medicine shows that a simple blood test may be able to identify which organs in the body are aging faster than normal. This test, which focuses on specific proteins in the blood, could play a decisive role in predicting the risk of disease and initiate therapeutic measures even before symptoms occur.