The Adaptation-Maladaptation Framework of Aging

While a great deal is known about the ways in which old tissues differ from young tissues, there remains considerable room to theorize on how exactly aging is caused and progresses. Which manifestations are causative, and which downstream consequences, which mechanisms are important, which are side-effects or diversions. Theories of aging abound, alongside frameworks intended to steer thinking about aging. We stand in the opening years of a new era of medicine, in which the first rejuvenation therapies exist or are under development, senolytics that can clear senescent cells, alongside reprogramming strategies and potentially a few others. The growing attention only encourages more theorizing, but the practical development of therapies targeting specific mechanisms of aging will be the path to greater knowledge. Only by addressing a specific mechanism of aging and observing the results can we rapidly determine whether or not it is important. The adaptation-maladaptation framework of aging posits that a cornerstone of aging is a decrease in the ratio of beneficial adaptation (Ab) to harmful adaptation (Ah) at several organizational levels of the organism, from cells to cell networks to the whole body. Decreases in Ab lead to lowered capacities in physiological adaptation functions such as learning and memory, immune system plasticity, and muscle anabolism, whereas increases in Ah promote dysfunctional metabolic remodeling, cancer, autoimmunity, and pathological cardio...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs