Geropathology is a common denominator for multispecies research in geroscience, from insects to nonhuman primates

Abstract

Geropathology embraces geroscience by defining anatomic and molecular aspects of aging as a basis for gaining a better understanding of how we age, and embellishes the identification of specific targets for gerotherapeutic intervention. Anatomic geropathology in various animal models of aging is based on microscopic evaluation of all age-related lesions so that lesion severity can be assigned a score as a quantitative value in a specific organ. Laboratory mice, nonhuman primates, pet cats, and house crickets have all been shown to develop similar age-related lesions that increase in severity with increasing age. These observations suggest that geropathology serves as a common denominator involving the cellular deterioration of tissues with increasing age in a diverse animal population from insects to high order mammals such as nonhuman primates. Geroscience, as an evolutionary-conserved approach to prevent the rapid progression of aging and age-related conditions in older people, is therefore supported by geropathological interrogation.

Keywords: Geroscience, geropathology, age-related lesions, laboratory mice, nonhuman primates, pet cats, house crickets