Translational geroscience: A new paradigm for 21st century medicine

Abstract

Advances in geroscience are allowing scientists and clinicians, for the first time, to consider interventions aimed at directly targeting the hallmarks of aging. Unlike disease-specific approaches, such interventions have the potential to prevent multiple diseases of aging simultaneously, thereby greatly enhancing healthspan for most individuals. Initial clinical data indicates that geroprotective compounds such as rapamycin and metformin may be effective at delaying or reversing age-related disease in otherwise healthy elderly people and companion animals. Here I will provide an overview of the field of translational geroscience, which I believe will become the paradigm for the practice of medicine in the 21^st century.

Figure 1.. Geroprotective interventions target the Hallmarks of Aging.

Several geroprotective interventions targeting the hallmarks of aging have been identified with high translational potential. These include rapamycin and other mTOR inhibitors, NAD+ precursors, metformin, and senolytics.