This book presents a collection of articles on various aspects of
current research on aging. These include model systems, cellular,
biochemical and molecular aspects of experimental aging research, as
well as selected intervention studies on age-related diseases.
Aging is a global challenge to human society. Children are always in a
hurry to become adults, while adults produce offspring and add to the
gene pool. However, after adulthood or the attainment of reproductive
maturity, all physiological parameters of the living organism start to
undergo the aging process. Old age sets in slowly but surely, and
usually continues for a prolonged period. If vigor and vitality are the
main advantages of adulthood, old age offers the rewards of experience
and maturity.
Biologists ask questions such as: Why do we age? How do we become old?
Is it possible to slow down, postpone or even prevent aging? In turn,
medical experts ask: What are the diseases associated with old age? Are
there medicines that can help affected elderly patients? In fact both
groups are asking themselves how can we add more health to old age.
Healthy aging is the dream of every individual. But to achieve this, it
is fundamental that we first understand the cellular, biochemical and
molecular basis of the aging process in mammalian cells, tissues and
intact living organisms, which can serve as experimental model systems
in Biomedical Gerontology. Once the biology of aging is understood at
the genetic and molecular levels, interventional approaches to aging and
its associated diseases may be easier to plan and implement at the
preclinical level.
