What is Biogerontology?
Learn about the field of biogerontology ...
A popular tale recounts the journey of Juan Ponce de Leon as he explored Florida in the 1500s searching for the Fountain of Youth - water that supposedly revealed the secrets of aging. Fortunately, those studying aging today have abandoned the search for bodies of magical water, turning instead to empirical science.
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A subset of gerontology, biogerontology is the scientific investigation of how and why our bodies age. Through examinations of cells, tissues, and organs, biogerontologists seek to understand the aging process at the molecular level. By understanding the aging process, biogerontologists also hope to improve the overall health of people as they age. Some even wish to extend the longevity of life.
Two Categories of Theories on Aging
Though technological advancements have led to an expanded knowledge of the aging process, relatively little is known as to exactly why we age. Most of the current theories on aging can be split into two types of theories: damage-based and programmed.
Damage-based theories
Damage-based theories of aging contend that damage, attributed to metabolism or inefficient immune systems, builds up over time and contributes to the aging process. Environmental damages from disease or other factors accumulate through our lives and eventually take a toll on the body's organs and immune system.
Programmed theories
Programmed theories say that genetics predetermine our aging process. Programmed theories hold that though environmental factors contribute to aging and death, genetics mainly determine how long we live. Biogerontologists who are programmed theorists point out the lack of variation in the life spans of various species. For example, most mice generally live two years in captivity before succumbing to death.
Treating common age-related diseases and conditions
Understanding the aging process is only part of biogerontology. Using their knowledge of aging, biogerontologists also look to develop cures and treatments for age-related illnesses like osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, and cancer. In order to better cure and prevent these illnesses, biogerontologists research genetics, antioxidants, and stem cells. The following are some of the common conditions and diseases biogerontologists look to prevent or cure.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia, and causes memory problems in older adults. It is not a normal part of aging, and scientists are working to discover why the disease affects some but not others. When the brain is afflicted with Alzheimer's, nerve cells are unable to perform correctly, negatively affecting normal brain functioning. Today, Alzheimer's is at the forefront of biogerontology research. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 90% of what we know about Alzheimer's has been discovered in the last 15 years. With such a widespread disease affecting our aging and no known cure, biogerontologists focus much of their energy on discovering more about this disease.
Osteoporosis
Literally meaning “porous bones,” osteoporosis weakens the bones by lowering bone density, increasing the likelihood of fractures. About 10 million people are affected by the disease, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Currently there isn't a cure for osteoporosis, but biogerontologists and therapists have helped to develop preventive measures and ways to slow the disease. Calcium supplements and regular exercise help to strengthen bone and fight the degenerative effects of the disease.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a group of conditions that usually involve damage to the joints. Osteoarthritis is a common condition among older adults where the cartilage between joints has worn away over time. Swelling, aching, pain, and stiffness of the joints are common effects of the condition. Biogerontologists are researching new aspects of the condition to develop effective treatments. In the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, a 2008 study from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that pain was not only a symptom of osteoarthritis, but actually helped cause it. Pain signals that originate in the arthritic joint expand and worsen the condition as the signals are processed by the brain. With this new data, biogerontologists are looking at new drugs that could inhibit the pain receptors and prevent the spreading.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is a degenerative disease that affects the part of the brain controlling motor functions. Our brains contain cells that produce dopamine, which helps relay information about body movements. If these cells are damaged, symptoms of Parkinson's Disease appear. Its effects include trembling, slowness of movement, stiffness or rigidity in the trunk, and trouble with balance, according to the National Parkinson Foundation. Other symptoms include depression, loss of facial expression, and pain. Usually, Parkinson's affects people over the age of 50, making it a primary topic of research for biogerontologists. As no cure for the disease currently exists, biogerontologists are looking to discover new ways to treat or prevent Parkinson's.
What else do biogerontologists do?
Biogerontology is not only limited to understanding the way humans age. It also looks to see how other species age, why some appear not to age, and how age-related diseases affect those species.
Comparative studies between species provide insight into how different stimuli and genetics affect the aging process and disease. Since human subjects cannot always be used for research into aging, animals such as mice, rats, yeast, and fruit flies have proven invaluable research subjects.
In fact, research on fruit fly brains has advanced research for Alzheimer's. A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York have prevented memory loss from a disease similar to Alzheimer's in fruit flies. Acknowledging the difference in complexity between the brain of a fruit fly and the brain of a human, these researchers remain committed to discovering new treatments for Alzheimer's.
Biogerontology can also focus on life extension, or anti-aging treatments. Biogerontologists who wish to reverse aging look to experimental studies and methods to extend human life. Some biogerontologists feel that before we can “cure” aging, we must first fully understand it. While the idea of an aging cure may sound like science fiction, keep in mind that life expectancy has increased by nearly 30 years since the early 20th century.
An emerging career in research
Because biogerontology mostly concerns itself with the genetics and science-related reasons for aging, studies focused in areas like genetics, biology, and chemistry are recommended. Most of the work done in the field of biogerontology is done in a laboratory or research setting.
A strong thirst for knowledge and dedication to the field are required of biogerontologists. If you feel you can impact the field, you can start by contacting some of the following gerontology schools to learn more about degrees in biogerontology.
Experimental Biogerontology: Caloric Restriction
Anti-aging is a relatively taboo area in the field of Biogerontology. Some biogerontologists prefer to focus on gaining knowledge of the aging process, while others have embraced the idea of “curing” aging. Little is known about anti-aging treatments, but some scientists believe it to be possible. So far, most medications have not succeeded in the reversal of aging, but one method has been proven to extend life and slow the aging process in many animals.
Caloric restriction, or CR, is a dietary method that is still under examination by scientists. Caloric restriction works by limiting the total caloric intake by the subject. Caloric restriction for yeast, fish, mice, and dogs has proven to delay the onset of age-related diseases, and increase life span compared to animals with a normal diet. According to the Calorie Restriction Society International, CR has reduced the chances of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, neurological decline, and diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's in mice and rats.
In The Retardation of Aging in Mice by Dietary Restriction: Longevity, Cancer, Immunity and Lifetime Energy Intake, scientist Richard Weindrech researched the effects of caloric restriction on mice and whether it would increase the life span of the lab animals. They found that mice whose calories were restricted by 25-65% had mean and maximum life spans 35-65% longer than mice who maintained normal calorie intake. Additionally, further studies showed that with a 40% reduction in caloric intake, mammary and colonic cancer was reduced by 75% and 47% respectively.
The question is if these results will transfer over to human subjects who undergo CR. There hasn't been extensive research on humans due to our longevity of life, but correlations between animal subjects and humans suggest the method would have similar effects on us. Caloric restriction is not without its risks, however.
Health concerns associated with CR arise when the subject receives too few calories. Some problems with the method include starvation, malnutrition, and development of eating disorders. Because humans are much larger than most laboratory specimens, it has yet to be discovered how our metabolism would react to the restriction of calories. Loss of muscle mass, weakness, and lethargy are all associated with a lower caloric intake, so scientists are examining the point where caloric restriction becomes dangerous.
Because we still know relatively little about the aging process, biogerontologists are examining new ways and possibilities to extend the life span of animals and humans. As further advances in medicine and technology allow for expanded research on life extension, more anti-aging methods will emerge. Some biogerontologists feel it's only a matter of time before we are living well beyond our current average life span.