title: FRAR course on laboratory approaches to aging. Theories of aging.
abstract: This review of gerontological theory cites diverse examples of neural and endocrine involvement in the senescence of mammals and some other multicellular species that suggest fundamental involvement in age-related changes in cell functions. The data support the major hypothesis that age-related changes are generally caused by specific physiological factors that are extrinsic to cells. The success of these manipulations includes retarding or reversing specific age-related changes, and extending the life span. From another perspective, these findings have converted time in the analysis of senescence from an independent variable to a dependent variable. So far, we do not need to hypothesize any new mechanism that is not already known in disease or normal functioning.
authors.affiliation: Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-0191.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Finch
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004032:Diet; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction