OUTLOOK
AGEING
6 December 2012 / Vol 492 / Issue No 7427
outlook AGEING
Produced with support from:
How time takes its toll
Cover art: Claudia Bentley
Editorial Herb Brody, Michelle Grayson, Tony Scully, Nick Haines, Afsaneh Gray, Rebecca Dargie Art & Design Wes Fernandes, Alisdair Macdonald, Andrea Duffy Production Donald McDonald, Yvonne Strong, Kelly Hopkins, Leonora Dawson-Bowling Sponsorship Reya Silao, Yvette Smith Marketing Elena Woodstock, Hannah Phipps Project Managers Claudia Deasy, Christian Manco Art Director Kelly Buckheit Krause Chief Magazine Editor Tim Appenzeller Editor-in-Chief Phil Campbell
A
geing is inevitable. Yet for centuries people have tried to slow or stop it, from bathing in the blood of virgin girls to concocting an elixir of life. These days, anti-ageing research is on a more scientific footing. And while we are no closer to finding the fountain of youth, humans — for a variety of reasons — are living longer than ever before (page S2). Hitting the biologically arbitrary 100-year milestone used to be the preserve of the lucky few, who would often reach it in rude health. In theory, studying these centenarians might reveal the secrets of healthy ageing. But as life expectancy increases, more people are reaching their eleventh decade, muddying the gene pool. Might more valuable data be gleaned from the supercentenarians who reach 110 (S6)? Scientific efforts to extend lifespan are progressing on several fronts. A short-lived species can evolve into a long-lived one, and researchers are keen to find out how (S10). Studies in other species have already shown that a severely restricted diet can add years of healthy living (S18). Diet affects ageing in humans too — how our food influences our gut microbes, and how they in turn affect our health and longevity, is under investigation (S14). Another line of enquiry focuses on harnessing the regenerative powers of stem cells (S12). But what does healthy ageing mean? Sociologist Eva Kahana talks about this “slippery concept”, which she says is different for each individual (S9). With the threat of Alzheimer’s disease looming large, there is a lack of data on how the brain changes over time — a deficit that a new long-term study aims to correct (S4). In the meantime, for those of us who need a little help in our later years, new technologies can support, predict and possibly prevent some of the worst health problems associated with ageing (S16). We are pleased to acknowledge the financial support of Nestlé Research Center in producing this Outlook. As always, Nature retains sole responsibility for all editorial content. Michelle Grayson Senior editor, supplements
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CONTENTS S2 DEMOGRAPHY
To the limit The drive to increase life expectancy
S4 COGNITION
The brain’s decline What happens to our cognitive functions when we get old?
S6 CENTENARIANS
Great expectations The genetic link to a long, healthy life
S9 Q&A
Ageing proactively Eva Kahana explores healthy ageing
S10 COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
Looking for a master switch Species with long lifespans might hold the key to extending our own
S12 STEM CELLS
Repeat to fade The regeneration game
S14 MICROBIOME
Cultural differences A gut reaction to our diet
S16 TECHNOLOGY
Dancing with robots High-tech help for later life
S18 INTERVENTIONS
Live long and prosper Eating less and the pathway to old age
COLLECTION S21 Recruiting adaptive cellular stress
responses for successful brain ageing Alexis M. Stranahan and Mark P. Mattson
S29 Gut microbiota composition correlates
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with diet and health in the elderly Marcus J. Claesson et al.
S36 Impact of caloric restriction on health
and survival in rhesus monkeys from the NIA study Julie A. Mattison et al.
S40 Shorter telomeres are associated with obesity and weight gain in the elderly OT Njajou et al.
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