An animal’s survival strongly depends on its ability to maintain homeostasis in response to the changing quality of its external and internal environments. This is achieved through intercellular communication not only within a single tissue but also among different tissues and organ systems. Thus, alterations in tissue-to-tissue or organ-to-organ communications, which are under genetic regulation, can affect organismal homeostasis, and consequently impact the aging process. One of the organ systems that play a major role in maintaining homeostasis is the nervous system. Considering that the nervous system includes the sensory system, which perceives the complexity of an animal’s environment, it should be no surprise that there would be a sensory influence on homeostasis and aging. To promote homeostasis, any given sensory information is transmitted through short-range signals via neural circuits and/or through long-range endocrine signals to target tissues, which may in turn be neuronal or non-neuronal in nature. At the same time, since homeostasis involves a number of feedback mechanisms, non-neuronal tissues can also modulate sensory and other neuronal functions. Several genes that regulate signaling pathways known to affect homeostasis and aging have been shown to act in neurons, in tissues that are likely downstream targets of the nervous system, or through feedback regulation of neuronal activities. These genes can have different temporal requirements: some might function early, e.g., by affecting neural development, while others may only be required later in adulthood. Some well-known examples of genes involved in the neuronal regulation of homeostasis and longevity encode components of the evolutionarily conserved nutrient-sensing insulin/insulin-like signaling pathway, the stress-sensing internal repair system, and the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Indeed, the genetic perturbation of these pathways has been found to lead to numerous diseases, many of which are age-related and involve the nervous system, such as neurodegeneration and the metabolic syndrome. Despite much progress, however, many aspects of the neuronal inputs and outputs that affect aging and longevity are poorly understood to date. For example, the precise neuronal and non-neuronal circuitries and the details of the molecular mechanisms through which genes/signaling pathways maintain homeostasis and affect aging in response to the environment remain to be elucidated. Similarly, it is presently unclear whether genes that regulate the early development of the nervous system and its consequent circuitry influence homeostasis and longevity during adulthood. At the same time, although many genes affecting aging are conserved, both the nervous system and the aging process are highly variable within populations and among taxa. Accordingly, the role of natural genetic variation in shaping the neurobiology of aging is also presently unknown. The aim of this Research Topic is therefore to highlight the genetic, developmental, and physiological aspects of the signaling networks that mediate the neuronal inputs and outputs that are required to maintain organismal homeostasis. The elucidation of the effects of these neuronal activities on homeostasis may thus provide much-needed insight into mechanisms that affect aging and longevity.

Recognition that aging is not the accumulation of disease, but rather comprises fundamental biological processes that are amenable to experimental study, is the basis for the recent growth of experimental biogerontology. As increasingly sophisticated studies provide greater understanding of what occurs in the aging brain and how these changes occur

The main purpose of this book is to understand the principles governing the longevity and loss of maintenance capacity of the nervous system. Neural aging is presented by specialists and even pioneers in their own fields, including evolutionary biology, genetics, biochemistry, biophysics, embryology, neurology, and pathology. It is thoroughly edited and illustrated, and organized in such a way as to fit, on the one hand the needs of a critical review and, on the other hand the aims of an introductory course on the biology of neural aging. With the progressive aging of the world population, there is an absolute need for a better understanding of the causes of longevity and the means to promote it. The considerations and hypotheses put forward in many chapters will stimulate research and thus be useful for those who intend to initiate or proceed in the fascinating field of neural aging.

As aging trends in the United States and Europe in particular are strongly suggestive of increasingly older society, it would be prudent for health care providers to better prepare for such changes. By including physiology, disease, nutrition, pharmacology, pathology, radiology and other relevant associated topics, Geriatric Gastroenterology fills the void in the literature for a volume devoted specifically to gastrointestinal illness in the elderly. This unique volume includes provision of training for current and future generations of physicians to deal with the health problems of older adults. It will also serve as a comprehensive guide to practicing physicians for ease of reference. Relevant to the geriatric age group, the volume covers epidemiology, physiology of aging, gastrointestinal physiology, pharmacology, radiology, pathology, motility disorders, luminal disorders, hepato-biliary disease, systemic manifestations, neoplastic disorders, gastrointestinal bleeding, cancer and medication related interactions and adverse events, all extremely common in older adults; these are often hard to evaluate and judge, especially considering the complex aging physiology. All have become important components of modern medicine. Special emphasis is be given to nutrition and related disorders. Capsule endoscopy and its utility in the geriatric population is also covered. Presented in simple, easy to read style, the volume includes numerous tables, figures and key points enabling ease of understanding. Chapters on imaging and pathology are profusely illustrated. All chapters are written by specialists and include up to date scientific information. Geriatric Gastroenterology is of great utility to residents in internal medicine, fellows in gastroenterology and geriatric medicine as well as gastroenterologists, geriatricians and practicing physicians including primary care physicians caring for older adults.

Time, Cells, and Aging, 2nd Edition presents the mechanics of cell function and the relevant implications of the molecular-genetic view to the aging phenomena. This book explores the biology of the aging process. Comprised of 11 chapters, this edition starts with an overview of the causes and mechanisms underlying the gradual deterioration of structure and function characteristics of aging. This text then examines the two aspects of the behavior of man, including the reasoned conscious behavior and the greater dependence on reaction patterns predicted on the successful responses of the past. Other chapters explore the relationship between aging and mortality rate in animals, which is a result of an organism's deceasing ability to function optimally in carrying out his vital functions. The final chapter deals with the implementation of a research plan relevant to understanding the primary mechanisms of the aging process. This book is a valuable resource for gerontologists, biologists, and molecular biologists.

An introductory text to the biology of aging and longevity, offering a thorough review of the field.

​This book looks at aging through research on Drosophila, the fruit fly that is one of the most widely used model organisms in bio gerontology. Work in model organisms can expand the theoretical knowledge of aging: it yields valuable insight into the molecular and cellular processes that underlie aging process, and it can perhaps provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of age-related disorders in humans. Drosophila models have been developed for a large variety of aging-related processes and diseases, and this book provides readers with an overview of current research on the use of the Drosophila model to understand the genetic, molecular and physiological mechanisms that underlie the aging process. Themes of health span, life extension and longevity-associated genes emerge in this collation of international research on Drosophila that is of relevance to geriatrics and gerontology, animal genetics and genomics, and biomedicine. This fascinating, illustrated book will be of interest to a wide audience, ranging from academic researchers to the general reader.

Recent studies show that more people than ever before are reaching old age in better health and enjoying that health for a longer time. This Handbook outlines the latest discoveries in the study of aging from bio-medicine, psychology, and socio-demography. It treats the study of aging as a multidisciplinary scientific subject, since it requires the interplay of broad disciplines, while offering high motivation, positive attitudes, and behaviors for aging well, and lifestyle changes that will help people to stay healthier across life span and in old age. Written by leading scholars from various academic disciplines, the chapters delve into the most topical aspects of aging today - including biological mechanisms of aging, aging with health, active and productive aging, aging with satisfaction, aging with respect, and aging with dignity. Aimed at health professionals as well as general readers, this Cambridge Handbook offers a new, positive approach to later life.

The release of the complete version of the human genome sequence in 2003 has paved the way for defining gene function and genetic background for phenotypic variation in humans and allowed us to study the aging process in a new light. This new volume results from that research and focuses on the genetic and epigenetic process of aging. While the interpretation of the genome data is still in its initial stages, this new volume looks at the evolving understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in cellular processes, gene function associated with complex traits, epigenetic components involve in gene control and the creation of hypothesis-free genome-wide approaches. Longevity Genes: A Blueprint for Aging explores the genetic and genomic elements that can maintain a long life such as DNA damage mechanisms, epigenetics and the way we can use this knowledge to generate customized treatments. It touches on some of the multidisciplinary approaches as well as genomic-wide association technology used to analyze complex traits. This book describes the hunt for genes affecting complex traits using a high throughput technology, with adequate consideration for the selection of an appropriate population, applications of statistical genetics and computational biology, and most importantly, considering phenotype-genotype association studies. Longevity Genes provides coverage of not only established aspects of genetics and aging, but also new approaches and perceptions in this important area of research.

This book is a detailed and comprehensive synthesis of the scientific study of aging. Dozens of contributions from leading scholars review various theories of aging, and molecular, cellular, biochemical and microbial aspects of aging, among just a few of the topics included. Authoritative, wide ranging and thorough, this book will act as a source for experimental design, a comprehensive description of age related diseases, and provide information of the latest molecular theories underlying their causes. Additionally, it will target industries involved in developing anti-aging drugs, post-graduate medical students, and university libraries.