Introduction to Diseases of Ageing

Question 1

What are the implications of the new theory that regards ageing as a process?

Answer 1

Diseases of ageing are symptoms

Aim for treatments for ageing – prevent symptoms (diseases of ageing)

Question 2

What is the evidence for ageing being plastic?

Answer 2

C. elegans has increased lifespan with PI-3K null mutation – single gene can affect ageing rate

Question 3

What is the focus of geriatrics?

Answer 3

General health of elderly – not diseases of ageing

Question 4

What is ‘big geriatrics’?

Answer 4

Single integrated field of ageing as a whole – unite study of ageing processes and diseases

Question 5

What are the 3 definitions of ‘ageing’?

Answer 5

Calendar ageing – passage of time
Any changes over time – neutral/maturational/deteriorative
Senescence - deteriorative

Question 6

What is the traditional view of ageing and diseases?

Answer 6

Ageing-disease dichotomy

Question 7

How does the ageing-disease dichotomy view ‘ageing’?

Answer 7

Ageing not disease – natural, universal
Risk factor for certain diseases
Not pathological itself

Question 8

What does the ageing-disease dichotomy suggest treating and why?

Answer 8

Treat diseases of ageing

Do not treat ageing itself – unnatural to intervene

Question 9

What does the ageing-disease dichotomy propose is the ideal death?

Answer 9

Death from ‘pure ageing’ – sudden death of healthy elderly

Question 10

What are the weaknesses in the concept of ageing-disease dichotomy?

Answer 10

‘Senescence’ implies pathology – ‘healthy senescence’ oxymoron
Argues senescence not pathological as universal – but common cold universal – still disease
Death from ‘pure ageing’ not possible – condition that causes death must be pathological
‘Pure ageing’ death may scare elderly – sudden unexpected death

Question 11

How does Gems define senescence?

Answer 11

Pathological process

Set of pathologies that increase in later life

Question 12

What are the dual standards in the ageing-disease dichotomy?

Answer 12

View that treating ageing undesirable due to effects on population size and global resources – but medicine already treats diseases to increase lifespan
View that delaying senescence greedy – but not same view of those wanting to prevent other diseases (e.g. cancer)

Question 13

What is the aim of biogerontology?

Answer 13

Treat diseases of ageing by treating ageing itself

Question 14

How did Doll link ageing to diseases of ageing?

Answer 14

Ageing does not cause age-related diseases – just associated with
Separate pathogenic mechanisms could different diseases
Admits some common mechanisms behind certain age-related diseases

Question 15

Which theory linking ageing to diseases of ageing seems unlikely?

Answer 15

Ageing as central cause of all age-related diseases

Question 16

What is the present view of the link between ageing and diseases of ageing?

Answer 16

Mixed model – ageing not central cause of all age-related diseases
Multiple pathogenic mechanisms – some cause one disease, some cause multiple
No single treatment for ageing

Question 17

What are the 3 possible definitions for anti-ageing treatments?

Answer 17

Treatment for ageing
Treatment for subset of age-related diseases
Treatment for individual age-related disease

Question 18

What are the arguments for classing treatments against subsets and individual age-related diseases as anti-ageing treatments?

Answer 18

Involves preventative approach
Pragmatic – currently more clinically practicable
Possibly no core treatment for ageing