The evolution of the aging process has long been a biological riddle, because it is difficult to explain the evolution of a trait that has apparently no benefit to the individual. Over 60 years ago, Medawar realized that the force of natural selection declines with chronological age because of unavoidable environmental risks. This forms the basis of the mainstream view that aging arises as a consequence of a declining selection pressure to maintain the physiological functioning of living beings forever. Over recent years, however, a number of articles have appeared that nevertheless propose the existence of specific aging genes; that is, that the aging process is genetically programmed. If this view were correct, it would have serious implications for experiments to understand and postpone aging. Therefore, we studied in detail various specific proposals why aging should be programmed. We find that not a single one withstands close scrutiny of its assumptions or simulation results. Nonprogrammed aging theories based on the insight of Medawar (as further developed by Hamilton and Charlesworth) are still the best explanation for the evolution of the aging process. We hope that this analysis helps to clarify the problems associated with the idea of programmed aging.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6398523 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acel.12510 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Circulating MicroRNAs in Patients with Psoriasis Treated with Anti-IL-23: A Cohort Study.
Dermatol Ther (Heidelb)
January 2025
Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
Introduction: Psoriasis is characterized by aberrant keratinocyte activity and immune cell infiltration, driven by immune-mediated pathways. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating these processes, offering insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate changes in circulating miRNAs in psoriasis patients undergoing risankizumab therapy, an anti-IL-23 monoclonal antibody, to understand its impact on disease pathogenesis and treatment response.
Patient-Centric Approach for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease in Older People.
Drugs Aging
January 2025
Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 60 Fenwood Road, no. 6016U, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to outline considerations for treating older adults with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) as it relates to infection, comorbidities, cancer, and quality of life.
Recent Findings: The recent 2023 American College of Rheumatology/American College of Chest Physicians guideline conditionally recommended specific disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), antifibrotics, and short-term glucocorticoids to treat RA-ILD. Since RA-ILD often affects older adults, we contextualize these pharmacologic options related to infection, gastrointestinal (GI) effects, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and quality of life.
Unravelling the transcriptomic symphony of muscle ageing: key pathways and hub genes altered by ageing and caloric restriction in rat muscle revealed by RNA sequencing.
BMC Genomics
January 2025
Integrative Genomics of Ageing Group, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.
Age-related muscle wasting, sarcopenia is an extensive loss of muscle mass and strength with age and a major cause of disability and accidents in the elderly. Mechanisms purported to be involved in muscle ageing and sarcopenia are numerous but poorly understood, necessitating deeper study. Hence, we employed high-throughput RNA sequencing to survey the global changes in protein-coding gene expression occurring in skeletal muscle with age.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMaintaining level of modifiable dementia risk scores is associated with better cognitive outcomes than increasing risk scores: A population-based prospective cohort study.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis
January 2025
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2057, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, 139 Barker St, Randwick NSW 2031, Australia. Electronic address:
Background: A brain healthy lifestyle, consisting of good cardiometabolic health and being cognitively and socially active in midlife, is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline years later. However, it is unclear whether lifestyle changes over time also affect the risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia, and rate of cognitive decline.
Objectives: To investigate if lifestyle changes over time are associated with incident MCI/dementia risk and rate of cognitive decline.
Informal care for people with dementia in Europe.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis
January 2025
Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society; Karolinska Institutet; Sweden; BioClinicum J9:20, Akademiska stråket, 171 64 Solna, Sweden.
Introduction: Informal care estimates for use in health-economic models are lacking. We aimed to estimate the association between informal care time and dementia symptoms across Europe.
Methods: A secondary analysis was performed on 13,529 observations in 5,369 persons from 9 European pooled cohort or trial studies in community-dwelling persons with dementia.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!