Primate Aging Studies

National Institute On Aging

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Caloric restriction (CR: reducing caloric intake 30-40 percent below ad libitum levels) has been repeatedly shown to extend lifespan, reduce the incidence and delay the onset of age-related disease, enhance stress protection, and attenuate functional decline in mammals. The NIA longitudinal study of CR and aging in rhesus monkeys is in its 37th year and 3% of the animals remain on study. In 2012, we reported findings of improved health; however, unlike findings from a similar study at the University of Wisconsin (UW), the NIA CR monkeys did not have improved survival compared to the controls. In 2017, we compared the study designs and outcomes concluding that aging is malleable in primates and a reasonable target for intervention. We recently reported that long-term CR reduced oxidative DNA damage within the oligodendroglia, and it was mainly mitochondrial DNA. Protecting DNA integrity likely promotes healthier energy metabolism. The reduction in oxidative DNA damage, within oligodendrocytes specifically, likely reduces deficits in myelination with age. In parallel, CR promoted a more ramified microglia morphology, making these cells more functionally oriented towards surveillance rather than inflammation, which could add to myelin damage. From tissue samples, we reported on two unique pathology findings that have increased our understanding of naturally occurring disease processes. Additionally, tissue and serum are used to assess biomarkers of aging.