TY - JOUR

T1 - Animal models of aging research

T2 - implications for human aging and age-related diseases

AU - Mitchell, Sarah J

AU - Scheibye-Knudsen, Morten

AU - Longo, Dan L

AU - de Cabo, Rafael

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - Aging is characterized by an increasing morbidity and functional decline that eventually results in the death of an organism. Aging is the largest risk factor for numerous human diseases, and understanding the aging process may thereby facilitate the development of new treatments for age-associated diseases. The use of humans in aging research is complicated by many factors, including ethical issues; environmental and social factors; and perhaps most importantly, their long natural life span. Although cellular models of human disease provide valuable mechanistic information, they are limited in that they may not replicate the in vivo biology. Almost all organisms age, and thus animal models can be useful for studying aging. Herein, we review some of the major models currently used in aging research and discuss their benefits and pitfalls, including interventions known to extend life span and health span. Finally, we conclude by discussing the future of animal models in aging research.

AB - Aging is characterized by an increasing morbidity and functional decline that eventually results in the death of an organism. Aging is the largest risk factor for numerous human diseases, and understanding the aging process may thereby facilitate the development of new treatments for age-associated diseases. The use of humans in aging research is complicated by many factors, including ethical issues; environmental and social factors; and perhaps most importantly, their long natural life span. Although cellular models of human disease provide valuable mechanistic information, they are limited in that they may not replicate the in vivo biology. Almost all organisms age, and thus animal models can be useful for studying aging. Herein, we review some of the major models currently used in aging research and discuss their benefits and pitfalls, including interventions known to extend life span and health span. Finally, we conclude by discussing the future of animal models in aging research.

KW - Aging

KW - Animals

KW - Animals, Genetically Modified

KW - Humans

KW - Longevity

KW - Models, Animal

KW - Vertebrates

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

KW - Review

U2 - 10.1146/annurev-animal-022114-110829

DO - 10.1146/annurev-animal-022114-110829

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25689319

VL - 3

SP - 283

EP - 303

JO - Annual Review of Animal Biosciences

JF - Annual Review of Animal Biosciences

SN - 2165-8102

ER -