Rozalyn Anderson from the University of Wisconsin-Madison delves into the mechanisms behind delayed ageing through caloric restriction, presenting decades of research from studies on monkeys, mice, and humans. Her work emphasizes the central role of metabolism in ageing and its potential as a therapeutic target for age-related diseases.

Key Points:

Rozalyn Anderson's research emphasizes metabolism as a cornerstone of ageing biology. The conserved effects of caloric restriction across species highlight its potential to inform strategies for delaying ageing and combating age-related diseases.

• Long-term Effects of Caloric Restriction: Anderson highlights findings from a 30-year study showing that reduced calorie intake without altering diet composition improves survival rates, delays the onset of age-related diseases, and reduces morbidity. These effects are evident across species, including monkeys and humans, demonstrating the translational potential of caloric restriction.
• Adipose Tissue Specificity: Research shows distinct responses in visceral and subcutaneous fat to caloric restriction. While both fat types utilize similar transcriptional tools, the rank order of genes and pathways differs, with visceral fat showing more inflammatory signatures. This finding underlines the nuanced role of fat function, rather than fat mass, in ageing.
• Metabolic Coordination Across Tissues: Caloric restriction induces widespread changes in metabolism, affecting multiple tissues such as liver, muscle, and brain. These changes are coordinated across molecular profiles (transcriptome, proteome, lipidome), influencing not just energy balance but also immune function, cellular repair, and protein synthesis.
• Sex Differences in Ageing and Caloric Restriction: Anderson underscores the importance of sex-specific molecular responses in ageing and caloric restriction. While physiological ageing appears similar between males and females, molecular pathways differ significantly, necessitating tailored approaches in research and clinical interventions.
• Metabolic Regulation of Brain Ageing: In caloric-restricted animals, brain ageing is mitigated through improved grey matter volume, enhanced white matter integrity, and preserved glucose uptake. These benefits are linked to systemic metabolic factors like insulin sensitivity and adipose-derived hormones, showcasing the interconnectedness of peripheral and central ageing processes.