According to the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Geroscience is the study of “mechanisms that make aging a major risk factor for common chronic conditions and diseases of aging.” As many people know, as we age we are more likely to be affected by chronic conditions. Many conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis are much more common among old people than they are among younger populations. Geroscientists want to discover why this is the case.
Previously, researchers focused on how specific activities affected the process of aging, but now they are looking into how aging affects conditions. Studies run by geroscientists also take a more holistic approach to many common diseases. For example, when researching Alzheimer’s disease, they look at the bones, vascular system, and overall metabolism rather than just the brain. Geroscience is focused on understanding what specific components of aging lead to conditions and diseases being more common in the older population. Additionally, the hope is that by addressing the causes of aging, geroscience can make the later stages of life less painful for many. If healthier seniors are a real possibility, it will benefit society by helping these older adults become more active and independent.
Overall, the implications of a solution to the problems of aging would be extremely beneficial. There are some possible supplements currently being tested that could slow the process of aging including rapamycin. Rapamycin is a compound that was discovered in the soil on Easter Island. It is used today, however not for anti-aging purposes. Organ transplant recipients take rapamycin to help stop their immune system from rejecting the organ. Rapamycin contains a protein complex that seems to reduce inflammation, clear old and damaged cells, and alter cellular metabolism. Researchers think that these are all key factors of aging, so for this reason, Rapamycin is being tested for the possibility of having anti-aging properties. Of course, the prospect of a miracle anti-aging drug would be revolutionary, however, researchers still have so much work to do. As of now, it is not certain whether or not drugs will be developed that can achieve the prevention of aging.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/aging-geroscience-health-span-drugs