Drugs Targeting Mechanisms of Aging to Delay Age-Related Disease and Promote Healthspan: Proceedings of a National Institute on Aging Workshop

Studies are underway to examine several possible pharmacological interventions aimed at increasing healthspan, or life span free of significant disease.

• The geroscience hypothesis suggests that targeting key hallmarks of aging may prevent or delay multiple age-related diseases.
• Cellular senescence, which increases with age, is associated with improved healthspan in rodents when treated with senolytic drugs.
• Increasing levels of NAD+, through supplementation with precursors like nicotinamide riboside, has shown potential to extend healthspan in model organisms, though human studies yield mixed results.
• Metformin, a medication used for glucose control, is believed to positively affect several hallmarks of aging and has shown promise in preclinical studies for improving life span and healthspan.
• Observational studies indicate metformin may help prevent various age-related diseases, with clinical trials currently exploring its effects on healthspan and frailty.

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