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Related Concept Videos

The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

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...
Aging01:26

Aging

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...
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age01:27

Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age

Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy01:16

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism01:18

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism

Geriatric patients show significant variation in how their bodies process medications, which can change how effective and safe treatments are. The liver is the primary organ where drug metabolism occurs, involving two main types of chemical reactions: phase I and II. Phase I metabolism is driven by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which includes key types such as CYP3A, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9. Research indicates that while aging doesn't notably alter the levels or activity of these enzymes, it...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution01:00

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are not...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
07:40

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

Published on: January 26, 2019

From local to systemic: spinal aging in the multi-organ aging network.

Chun Zhang1, Shuchang Peng1, Jiayi Fu1

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.

Ageing Research Reviews
|July 11, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Spinal aging involves local tissue decline and systemic influences from multiple organs. Understanding this integrated network is key for treating degenerative spinal diseases (DSDs) and improving patient outcomes.

Keywords:
degenerative spinal diseaseintervertebral disc degenerationorgan crosstalkspinal agingsystemic aging

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
07:40

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

Published on: January 26, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Orthopedics
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Spinal aging is a complex process leading to degenerative spinal diseases (DSDs).
  • Previous research focused on local spinal tissues, neglecting systemic aging influences.
  • Geroscience reveals spinal degeneration is linked to a multi-organ aging network.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a "from local to systemic" framework for understanding spinal aging mechanisms.
  • To integrate vertebral osteoporosis and paraspinal muscle degeneration into spinal aging.
  • To highlight systemic factors influencing DSDs and their treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on spinal aging and geroscience.
  • Analysis of local and systemic factors contributing to spinal degeneration.
  • Discussion of clinical translation and therapeutic strategies for DSDs.

Main Results:

  • Spinal aging involves heterogeneous local trajectories, with intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) as a central process.
  • Systemic aging (immunosenescence, muscle aging, etc.) impacts the spine via circulating factors and metabolic mediators.
  • DSDs are influenced by systemic aging, affecting disease progression and treatment response.

Conclusions:

  • The spine should be viewed as an integrated organ system within systemic aging.
  • Future DSD treatments require precise stratification and systemic anti-aging strategies.
  • Optimizing long-term outcomes necessitates a holistic approach beyond local interventions.