The Role of Research in Promoting Healthy Aging

What if your brain and immune system are the real keys to longevity? 🔥 Just out in Nature Medicine 🔥 “Plasma proteomics links brain and immune system aging with healthspan and longevity” by Hamilton Se-Hwee Oh, Tony Wyss-Coray, Anne Brunet, Michael Greicius & colleagues We often talk about aging as a slow, systemic decline ; but what if the real story is about a few crucial organs pulling the strings? We've been studying how immune system aging drives systemic decline for almost 2 decades and reading this elegant paper reaffirms this claim. In this massive study of ~45,000 people from the UK Biobank, Tony's group built machine learning models that estimate the biological age of 11 organs from plasma proteins. 🧬 Key insights: ✅ Each organ ages independently —> brain and immune system stand out ✅ Aged brains increase Alzheimer’s risk as much as carrying an APOE4 allele ✅ Aged immune systems drive mortality and chronic diseases ✅ Youthful brains and immune systems reduce mortality risk by nearly 60% ✅ Individuals with both youthful organs had the lowest death risk of all (HR = 0.44) ✅ Plasma proteomics tracks aging better than existing clinical clocks (like PhenoAge) 💡 The promise for longevity: If we can measure, protect, and intervene on the aging of specific organs — especially the brain and immune system — we might delay chronic disease and extend healthspan. Massive kudos to the phenomenal team across Stanford, the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project, and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute for making this possible. A milestone in translational aging science! BRAIN AND IMMUNE SYSTEM YOUTH PREDICT LONGEVITY #longevity #aging #biomarkers #proteomics #brainhealth #immunology

Unlocking Longevity Through the Brain-Fat Feedback Loop This article reveals a critical breakthrough in understanding the biological mechanisms of aging. Researchers identified a feedback loop between specific neurons in the brain's hypothalamus region and white adipose tissue that regulates the release of energy and metabolic factors to fuel physical activity and brain function. The gradual deterioration of this feedback loop with age contributes significantly to decreased activity, fat accumulation, and loss of energy to key tissues, all hallmarks of aging. The study demonstrated that genetically sustaining activation of this feedback loop in mice resulted in increased physical activity, lifespan extension of 7%, and maintained healthier, more youthful function into late life. This establishes hypothalamic control of adipose tissue's central role in systemic aging. These findings have major implications for developing interventions to maintain this feedback loop and delay age-related functional decline.  This research is important for the field of regenerative medicine for several reasons. It elucidates a key biological driver of mammalian aging, which gives targets to stimulate tissue regeneration and restore more youthful function. This pathway could be leveraged to develop therapies to combat age-related diseases. It demonstrates the role of inter-tissue communication in regulating organismal aging. This highlights the importance of understanding aging at the systems level in addition to individual tissues. The ability to significantly extend health span in mice by sustaining this feedback loop proves that targeting aging mechanisms can stimulate regeneration, longevity, and improved quality of life - key goals of regenerative medicine. In summary, this research reveals an integral biological circuit regulating aging, giving new insight into potential pro-regenerative and anti-aging therapies. Sustaining youthful communication between tissues represents a novel target for interventions to combat aging-related disease and dysfunction. JP https://lnkd.in/eVjSeYZB

How dietary restriction slows brain aging & increases lifespan The team began by scanning about 200 strains of flies with different genetic backgrounds. The flies were raised with two different diets, either with a normal diet or with dietary restriction, which was only 10% of normal nutrition. Researchers identified five genes which had specific variants that significantly affected longevity under dietary restriction. Of those, two had counterparts in human genetics. The team chose one gene to explore thoroughly, called “mustard” (mtd) in fruit flies and “Oxidation Resistance 1” (OXR1) in humans and mice. The gene protects cells from oxidative damage, but the mechanism for how this gene functions was unclear. The loss of OXR1 in humans results in severe neurological defects and premature death. In mice, extra OXR1 improves survival in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To figure out how a gene that is active in neurons affects overall lifespan, the team did a series of in-depth tests. They found that OXR1 affects a complex called the retromer, which is a set of proteins necessary for recycling cellular proteins and lipids. “The retromer is an important mechanism in neurons because it determines the fate of all proteins that are brought into the cell,” said the author. Retromer dysfunction has been associated with age-related neurodegenerative diseases that are protected by dietary restriction, specifically Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Overall, their results told the story of how dietary restriction slows brain aging by the action of mtd/OXR1 in maintaining the retromer. “This work shows that the retromer pathway, which is involved in reusing cellular proteins, has a key role in protecting neurons when nutrients are limited,” said the author. The team found that mtd/OXR1 preserves retromer function and is necessary for neuronal function, healthy brain aging, and lifespan extension seen with dietary restriction. #ScienceMission #sciencenewshighlights https://lnkd.in/gVrPUBJ7

𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇𝐘 𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 In the quest for extending human healthspan, the innovative application of biomarkers to quantify biological aging has emerged as a pivotal frontier in biomedical research. The collective work led by Mahdi Moqri, Chiara Herzog, Jesse R. Poganik, Kejun Ying, and their distinguished colleagues, detailed in "Validation of Biomarkers of Aging" published in Nature Medicine, represents a significant stride in this endeavor. Their comprehensive review underscores the intensified search for 'omic'-based biomarkers capable of predicting aging-related outcomes and serving as surrogate endpoints for evaluating interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging and longevity. 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒊𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑨 𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 The validation of aging biomarkers, particularly those based on 'omic' assays, is a complex process that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Moqri et al. highlight the lack of consensus on the validation process for aging biomarkers and propose a framework aimed at addressing this gap. By evaluating the predictive validity of omic biomarkers in population studies and addressing challenges in comparability and generalizability, the authors pave the way for future advancements in this critical area of research. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑯𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔: 𝑨 𝑵𝒆𝒘 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒎 Central to the authors' discussion is the geroscience hypothesis, which posits that targeting the biological processes of aging could simultaneously delay the onset of multiple aging-associated diseases. This paradigm shift in understanding and treating aging-related conditions underscores the growing interest in developing reliable biomarkers that can accurately assess biological age. Such biomarkers hold the promise of revolutionizing the approach to aging and longevity, offering a more targeted strategy for extending healthy lifespan. 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑩𝒊𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 Moqri et al. meticulously outline the current efforts and challenges in validating aging biomarkers and provide insightful recommendations for facilitating their clinical translation. They emphasize the importance of systematic validation to ensure the reliability, accuracy, and clinical utility of these biomarkers. Moreover, the review discusses how validated biomarkers of aging could play a pivotal role in gerotherapeutic clinical trials. 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕: How can the precise validation of aging biomarkers redefine our understanding of the biological clock, potentially unlocking interventions that extend healthspan beyond the constraints of our current genetic blueprint?

One of the most promising areas of advancement is in the field of longevity. 1. AI in Longevity Research AI technologies can be used to analyze vast amounts of health data, identify biomarkers as they relate to aging, and understand the complex mechanisms behind longevity. By integrating AI with genomics and biotechnology, researchers may be able to predict health trajectories and personalize medical treatments, reducing morbidity. 2. Personalized Medicine One of the most impactful applications of AI in longevity is in the development of personalized medicine. AI algorithms can process individual genetic information, lifestyle data from wearables and other continuous tools, as well environmental factors to tailor preventive and therapeutic solutions specifically designed for each person's unique biological makeup. 3. Global Collaboration AI is not only a tool but a bridge connecting researchers, clinicians, and innovators worldwide. Through global data sharing and collaboration facilitated by AI, the longevity field is experiencing unprecedented growth and innovation. It allows stakeholders to connect and share ideas and insights. As we look to the future, the potential of AI to transform our understanding and approach to aging is boundless. Let's continue to support and invest in these technologies that promise not only to extend life but to enhance the quality of our years. Yes, we have to ask tough questions about their development and use. That will allow us to shape the technologies to our needs. #Longevity #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthTech #Innovation #PersonalizedMedicine #aging

🚀 **New Research Alert in Aging Science!** - **Stochastic Variation as a Predictor**: Recent studies reveal that stochastic variations alone can accurately predict chronological and biological ages across various biological datasets. - **Rethinking Aging Clocks**: These findings challenge the conventional understanding that current of aging clocks reflect a deterministic process, because the current clocks can predict age from stochastic changes alone. - **Broad Applicability**: Demonstrated success of age prediction across diverse data types: from DNA methylation to transcriptomic data. - **Implications for Aging Clocks**: - **Wide Applicability**: Suggests that nearly any biological measurements with stochastic age-related alterations could be used to construct aging clocks.  - **Questioning Current Clocks**: Raises critical questions about the biological basis and clinical utility of existing aging clocks, indicating a potential need for their thorough reevaluation. 🔍 **Why It Matters**: This study prompts a significant shift in how we might measure and understand aging, impacting future research and clinical approaches in gerontology. 💡 **Join the Conversation**: What implications do these findings have for future aging research and the development of new clinical tools? Share your thoughts! #AgingResearch #Biotechnology #HealthcareInnovation #ScientificBreakthroughs #ProfessionalNetworking https://lnkd.in/etriPwNp

Could your longevity depend on how well your epigenome guards NAD+ production? 🔒🔥 New research by Macsue Jacques and collaborators unveils the first pan-tissue DNA methylation aging atlas — and reveals a surprisingly resilient aging module powered by NAD+ biosynthesis (Module_160). Why this matters: 🌱 NAD+ is central to metabolic and mitochondrial health 🧠 This module withstood simulated aging “disruptions” ⚙️ Offers new hope for targeted epigenetic interventions From developmental silencing to cytoplasmic drift, the team charts a complex aging landscape — and a path forward. Bravo to Macsue Jacques, Anna Lysenko, Robin Grolaux, Bernadette Patrick, Prof Itamar levinger, Carlie Bauer, Aino Heikkinen, Elina Sillanpää, Cassandra Smith, Linn Gillberg, Jesse Poganik, Mahdi Moqri, Vadim Gladyshev, Steve Horvath, and Nir Eynon for a stunning contribution to longevity science. Full paper: https://lnkd.in/epwH_p74 #LongevityResearch #EpigeneticTherapy #AgingScience