Menopause marks the beginning of the next biological chapter in a woman’s life. Characterized by the natural ebb of reproductive hormones (particularly estrogen), menopause ushers in a new season of aging. This hormonal shift not only signifies a transition in fertility but also influences systemic health. The menopause-associated decline in estrogen has been associated with various health issues, including alterations in brain structure and function. However, the mechanics of this phenomenon are still poorly understood. A greater understanding of how menopause alters the brain could aid in the early detection, and possible prevention, of neurodegenerative disease.

In a new study, researchers Gwang-Won Kim, Kwangsung Park, Yun-Hyeon Kim, and Gwang-Woo Jeong from Chonnam National University used neuroimaging to shed light on how menopause alters brain morphology and functional connectivity in postmenopausal women. On March 23, 2024, their research paper was published as the cover of Aging’s Volume 16, Issue 6, entitled, "Altered brain morphology and functional connectivity in postmenopausal women: automatic segmentation of whole-brain and thalamic subnuclei and resting-state fMRI."

Full blog - https://aging-us.org/2024/04/how-menopause-changes-brain-structure-and-connectivity/

Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.205662

Corresponding author - Gwang-Woo Jeong - gwjeong@jnu.ac.kr

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Keywords - aging, brain morphology, functional connectivity, sex hormones, thalamic subnuclei

About Aging-US

Aging publishes research papers in all fields of aging research including but not limited, aging from yeast to mammals, cellular senescence, age-related diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s diseases and their prevention and treatment, anti-aging strategies and drug development and especially the role of signal transduction pathways such as mTOR in aging and potential approaches to modulate these signaling pathways to extend lifespan. The journal aims to promote treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.

Aging is indexed by PubMed/Medline (abbreviated as “Aging (Albany NY)”), PubMed Central, Web of Science: Science Citation Index Expanded (abbreviated as “Aging‐US” and listed in the Cell Biology and Geriatrics & Gerontology categories), Scopus (abbreviated as “Aging” and listed in the Cell Biology and Aging categories), Biological Abstracts, BIOSIS Previews, EMBASE, META (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) (2018-2022), and Dimensions (Digital Science).

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Aging (Aging-US)

How Menopause Changes Brain Structure and Connectivity

Imagine being 15 years old but having a body that shows signs of aging as if you are decades older. For some young people with sickle cell disease (SCD), this is a reality. A new study published in Volume 16, Issue 21 of Aging shows that SCD causes the body to age much faster than normal. The research not only explains why this happens but also points to new ways to help people with the disease live healthier, longer lives.

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?

SCD is a genetic condition that changes the shape of red blood cells. Instead of being round, like a doughnut, the cells become curved like a sickle (a farming tool). These misshapen cells struggle to move through blood vessels, often blocking blood flow and leading to pain, organ damage, and other health problems. Even with modern treatments, they can experience complications like those seen in older adults, such as weaker bones, frailty, and organ failure. In the study “Adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease exhibit accelerated aging with elevated T-cell p16INK4a expression,” researchers wanted to understand why this happens and what it means for people with the disease.

Full blog - https://aging-us.org/?p=6372

Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206152

Corresponding author - Samuel R. Wilson - samuel.wilson@med.unc.edu

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXVdxBikaqg

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Keywords - aging, sickle cell disease, p16, adolescents, young adults

About Aging-US

The mission of the journal is to understand the mechanisms surrounding aging and age-related diseases, including cancer as the main cause of death in the modern aged population.

The journal aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.)

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Accelerated Aging in Young People with Sickle Cell Disease

BUFFALO, NY - December 30, 2024 – A new #editorial was #published in Oncotarget's Volume 15 on December 24, 2024, titled “Pitfalls and perils from FDA-approved germ-line cancer predisposition tests."

Authored by Dr. Wafik S. El-Deiry, Editor-in-Chief of Oncotarget, and Dr. Eli Y. Adashi from Brown University, the article highlights concerns about the risks of a newly approved genetic test for cancer risk. This test, called the “Invitae Common Hereditary Cancers Panel," was approved in 2023 and examines 48 genes linked to inherited cancers, including breast, ovarian, and Lynch syndrome-related cancers. Although the test increases access to genetic information, the authors warn that using it without professional guidance may lead to confusion, stress, and potential harm.

One concern is that people can order this test online without consulting healthcare professionals or genetic counselors. Without expert help, users might struggle to understand their results especially if they indicate risks that are unclear or difficult to act on. This can cause unnecessary anxiety and confusion.

“The DTC option of germ-line testing for cancer susceptibility should be discouraged given the risks of anxiety, lack of adequate interpretation for variants not strongly associated with cancer, potential for minors to be tested outside the healthcare system and potential for loss of follow-up if test results are not shared with health care professionals or never make it into the medical record.”

The editorial also points out ethical and medical issues when minors use these tests. If a child’s test is done without medical oversight, results might not be added to their health records, making follow-up care harder to manage and potentially risking their long-term health.

Cost is another issue. These tests are often not covered by insurance, which can place a financial burden on families who might need additional testing or medical advice.

The researchers emphasize that genetic testing for cancer risk should always include healthcare providers and genetic counseling. This ensures users fully understand their results and receive proper guidance. The authors also call on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide clear rules for using these tests, particularly for minors.

In conclusion, while genetic testing holds great potential for improving cancer prevention and care, its benefits must not come at the cost of safety and public health. Responsible use of these tests will require collaboration between regulators, healthcare professionals, and testing companies to address the risks and ensure these tools are used effectively.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28677

Correspondence to - Wafik S. El-Deiry - wafik@brown.edu

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjKpiBNDWHo

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About Oncotarget 

Oncotarget (a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal) aims to maximize research impact through insightful peer-review; eliminate borders between specialties by linking different fields of oncology, cancer research and biomedical sciences; and foster application of basic and clinical science.

Oncotarget is indexed and archived by PubMed/Medline, PubMed Central, Scopus, EMBASE, META (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) (2018-2022), and Dimensions (Digital Science).

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Oncotarget

Pitfalls of FDA-Approved Germline Cancer Predisposition Tests

BUFFALO, NY- January 2, 2025 – A new priority #research paper, featured as the #cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 22, was #published on December 29, 2024. The paper is titled “Cell-type specific epigenetic clocks to quantify biological age at cell-type resolution.”

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Monash University developed a new way to measure biological aging in individual cell types. This new tool offers a more detailed understanding of how cells age, providing insights into diseases such as Alzheimer’s and liver pathologies, leading the way for more precise health assessments and targeted therapies.

Biological age refers to how old a person’s body is biologically, which may differ from their actual age in years. Typically, biological age is estimated using “epigenetic clocks,” which rely on DNA methylation patterns—chemical marks linked to aging. Standard methods analyze all the cells from a specific tissue at once, making it difficult to understand the aging processes in the different cell types that constitute the tissue.

To address this, researchers Huige Tong, Xiaolong Guo, Macsue Jacques, Qi Luo, Nir Eynon,m and Andrew E Teschendorff analyzed DNA samples from human brain and liver tissues to create a new analysis tool. With the help of advanced computer models, they studied changes in DNA methylation in samples from healthy and diseased individuals. By isolating biological aging within specific cell types, the team could better understand how these changes contribute to diseases like Alzheimer’s or liver conditions. 

The study revealed that certain brain cells, like neurons and glia, age faster in people with Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that the aging of specific cell types plays a critical role in neurodegeneration. In liver diseases, such as fatty liver disease and obesity, the clock for liver cells showed signs of accelerated aging, making it a better tool than previous methods for detecting liver problems.

"We find that neuron and glia specific clocks display biological age acceleration in Alzheimer’s Disease with the effect being strongest for glia in the temporal lobe.” 

This new approach distinguishes the aging process within individual cell types from changes in the overall composition of cells in a tissue, offering a clearer view of how aging affects each specific cell type. This is crucial for identifying which cells are most affected by aging in certain diseases, guiding the development of targeted therapies. 

In conclusion, this study highlights the critical importance of precision in aging research, allowing deeper insights into the aging process and significant advancements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of age-related diseases.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206184

Corresponding author - Andrew E. Teschendorff - andrew@sinh.ac.cn

Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjJa5U2-AqQ

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About Aging-US

The mission of the journal is to understand the mechanisms surrounding aging and age-related diseases, including cancer as the main cause of death in the modern aged population.

The journal aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.)

Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us:

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Epigenetic Clocks Reveal Biological Age at Cell-Type Resolution

Cancer and aging are two sides of age-related tumorigenesis.

The mission of the journal is to understand the mechanisms surrounding aging and age-related diseases, including cancer as the main cause of death in the modern aged population.

The journal aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.)

Read about the Aging (Aging-US) Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity

How Menopause Changes Brain Structure and Connectivity

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