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Theories of aging

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Abstract

This review of gerontological theory cites diverse examples of neural and endocrine involvement in the senescence of mammals and some other multicellular species that suggest fundamental involvement in age-related changes in cell functions. The data support the major hypothesis that age-related changes are generally caused by specific physiological factors that are extrinsic to cells. The success of these manipulations includes retarding or reversing specific age-related changes, and extending the life span. From another perspective, these findings have converted time in the analysis of senescence from an independent variable to a dependent variable. So far, we do not need to hypothesize any new mechanism that is not already known in disease or normal functioning. (Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 5: 277–289, 1993)

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  1. Andrus Gerontology Center and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90089-0191, USA

    Caleb E. Finch Ph.D.

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Finch, C.E. Theories of aging. Aging Clin Exp Res 5, 277–289 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324175

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