title: Use of rodents as models for the study of "normal aging": conceptual and practical issues.
abstract: Certain guidelines may exist for selecting and using rodent models for aging research. These are based, however, on only operational criteria because we presently lack good biomarkers for (or even a suitable definition of) normal aging. Longevity and disease characteristics of the experimental population are the most important of the operational criteria for choosing a particular rodent model. These factors, in turn, are influenced by genetics and by environmental factors, including diet, housing, and physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7756.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Masoro
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D051381:Rats; D012377:Rodentia / Q000502:physiology*