Divergence of biological and chronological aging: Evidence from rodent studies

• Published in: Neurobiology of aging Vol. 12; no. 6; pp. 685 - 693
• Main Authors: Collier, Timothy J., Coleman, Paul D.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Inc 01.11.1991; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Acetyl-L-carnitine; Aging; Aging - genetics; Aging - physiology; Aging - psychology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Centrophenoxine; Cognitive behavior; Development. Metamorphosis. Moult. Ageing; Food restriction; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics; Handling; Learning; Memory; Motor behavior; Neophobia; Rodentia - physiology; Rodents; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Learning; Motor behavior; Centrophenoxine; Rodents; Memory; Aging; Acetyl-L-carnitine; Cognitive behavior; Genetics; Neophobia; Food restriction; Handling; Animal model; Vertebrata; Senescence; Mammalia; Review; Rodentia
• ISSN: 0197-4580; 1558-1497
• DOI: 10.1016/0197-4580(91)90122-Z

Literature on aging populations of rodents supports the intuitive view that significant functional variation exists among like-aged, elderly individuals: chronological age as a solitary measure is a poor indicator of biological age. In this report, we review a variety of studies which classify aged rodents based on genetic and/or behavioral similarities, in addition to chronological age, and have provided valuable neurobiological and physiological information on age-related changes which accompany functional impairments, or the lack of them. Beyond their descriptive value for gerontological research, these findings suggest ways in which biological aging can be manipulated to promote good function in aged individuals.