Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

213
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
213
Aging01:26

Aging

191
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
191
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

2.6K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
2.6K
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

2.4K
When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
2.4K
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs01:02

Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs

854
Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
854
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena01:15

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

659
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
659

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Multimorbidity Clusters Among People Aged 65 Years and Over in Australia: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Data Linkage Study.

The Medical journal of Australia·2026
Same author

Immune aging biomarkers for clinical trials.

Nature medicine·2026
Same author

Alzheimer's disease proteome-wide association study implicates adaptive immunity and identifies risk genes LILRB1 and SIRPA.

Science translational medicine·2026
Same author

Mitochondrial quality control in human ageing and longevity.

Nature metabolism·2026
Same author

Plasma GDF15 affects long-term dementia risk and alters neuroimmune signaling.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Longitudinal associations of the gut microbiome with arterial stiffness in US adults: findings from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

American journal of epidemiology·2026
Same journal

Correction: Guideline-Directed Heart Failure Pharmacotherapy in Adults Aged ≥75 Years: Evidence Gaps, Tolerability, and Implications for Clinical Practice.

Drugs & aging·2026
Same journal

Targeted Treatment for Hyperuricemia: The Drug Pipeline.

Drugs & aging·2026
Same journal

Efficacy and Safety of Ciprofol Versus Propofol for Anesthesia in Older Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Drugs & aging·2026
Same journal

Leveraging Real-World Data for Clinical Decision Making in Geriatric Oncology.

Drugs & aging·2026
Same journal

Drug Utilisation of Fall-Risk-Increasing Drugs (FRIDs) and Risk of Hospitalisation: A Nested Case-Control Study Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Drugs & aging·2026
Same journal

Gabapentinoid Use and Risk of Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

Drugs & aging·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
10:13

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Published on: February 14, 2014

13.8K

Drugs and Healthy Aging.

Sarah N Hilmer1, Luigi Ferrucci2, Antonio Cherubini3,4

  • 1Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District and The University of Sydney, St. Leonards, Australia. sarah.hilmer@sydney.edu.au.

Drugs & Aging
|July 3, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Appropriate drug treatments can support healthy aging and function, but evidence often excludes older adults and well-being. Future gerotherapeutics may slow aging and prevent diseases.

More Related Videos

Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B
11:44

Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B

Published on: January 19, 2022

2.6K
Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
05:59

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

2.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
10:13

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Published on: February 14, 2014

13.8K
Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B
11:44

Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B

Published on: January 19, 2022

2.6K
Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
05:59

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

2.6K

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Drug treatments can promote healthy aging and functional ability in older adults.
  • Existing evidence on drug efficacy for aging is limited, often not representing older populations or including functional outcomes.
  • Polypharmacy, multimorbidity, and frailty in older adults can lead to impaired physical, cognitive, and social functions due to therapeutic drugs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the dual role of drugs in promoting healthy aging and potentially impairing function in older adults.
  • To underscore the need for research on drug treatments that consider functional and well-being outcomes in diverse older populations.
  • To explore the potential of future gerotherapeutics in slowing the aging process and preventing chronic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on the impact of drug treatments on healthy aging.
  • Analysis of evidence gaps concerning older adults, functional outcomes, and polypharmacy.
  • Exploration of the interplay between pharmacological interventions and non-pharmacological strategies like exercise and nutrition.

Main Results:

  • Drugs can prevent and manage diseases, contributing to healthy aging.
  • Certain drugs negatively impact physical and cognitive function, social interactions, exercise, and diet, especially in frail older individuals with multiple conditions.
  • Non-pharmacological interventions like exercise and nutrition can mitigate adverse drug reactions.

Conclusions:

  • Drug treatments play a crucial role in healthy aging, but their impact on function and well-being requires further investigation in representative older populations.
  • Addressing polypharmacy and its adverse effects is essential for maintaining functional ability in aging.
  • Future development of gerotherapeutics holds promise for slowing aging and preventing chronic diseases, thereby enhancing healthy aging.