Healthy Aging Biomarkers: The INSPIRE's Contribution

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Regenerative Medicine
• Integrative Physiology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Global challenge to optimize healthy aging and extend health span, as prioritized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Current aging research predominantly focuses on parenchymal cells, neglecting other crucial components.
• Need for an integrative global strategy combining longitudinal and experimental cohorts with a novel understanding of physiological functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel healthcare model prioritizing the maintenance of optimal functional levels.
• To address the gap in integrative strategies for understanding and optimizing healthy aging.
• To identify key elements determining age-related functional decline.

Main Methods:

• Implementing an integrative global strategy within INSPIRE projects.
• Analyzing physiological functioning through a combination of longitudinal and experimental cohorts.
• Adopting an innovative transverse understanding of aging processes.

Main Results:

• Age-related loss of function is proposed to be determined by the stroma, immune system, and metabolism.
• These three elements form the supportive ground for parenchymal cells.
• The INSPIRE strategy aims to develop a composite biomarker for predicting capacity changes.

Conclusions:

• A shift in aging research towards the stroma, immune system, and metabolism is crucial.
• Development of a composite biomarker can predict changes in functional capacity across the lifespan.
• Identifying thresholds for frailty and care dependence is a key outcome.