Targeting metabolism could slow neurological decline, reverse progression of age-related diseases

Ageing is a biological process that no one can avoid. Ideally, growing old should be a time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Ageing also has a darker side, however, often linked to disease.

Every second, your cells perform billions of biochemical reactions that fuel essential functions for life, forming a highly interconnected metabolic network. This network enables cells to grow, proliferate and repair themselves, and its disruption can drive the ageing process.

But does ageing cause metabolic decline, or does metabolic disruption accelerate ageing? Or both?

To address this chicken-or-egg question, you first need to understand how metabolic processes break down during ageing and disease. I am a scientist and researcher, and my lab focuses on exploring the complex relationship between metabolism, stress and ageing. Ultimately, we hope this work will provide strategies to promote healthier ageing and more vibrant lives.

Is there a link?

Ageing is the most significant risk factor for many of society’s most common diseases, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders. A key factor behind the onset of these health issues is the disruption of cellular and metabolic homeostasis, or balance. Disrupting homeostasis destabilises the body’s internal environment, leading to imbalances that can trigger a cascade of health issues, including metabolic disorders, chronic diseases and impaired cellular functions that contribute to ageing and other serious conditions.

Disrupted metabolism is linked to...

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