Gerotherapeutic
Definition
A gerotherapeutic is an intervention studied for its potential to target biological mechanisms of ageing, rather than only treating one age-related disease in isolation. In geroscience, gerotherapeutics are investigated for whether they can delay, prevent, or modify multiple age-related conditions by acting on shared ageing biology. [1] [2]
Why It Matters in Ageing Research
The term is important because it reflects a shift from treating diseases one at a time toward testing whether common biological processes of ageing can be measured and modified. Gerotherapeutic research often focuses on outcomes such as healthspan, functional decline, frailty, multimorbidity, and the onset of age-related disease. [2] [3]
Common Confusion
- A gerotherapeutic is not automatically an approved treatment for ageing.
- The term does not mean that an intervention has been proven to extend human lifespan.
- Gerotherapeutic research can include drugs, behavioural interventions, or other approaches, but evidence depends on the specific intervention and study design.
Related Reading
References
- Newman, J. C., et al. (2024). Role of the National Institute on Aging in transforming geroscience research. Innovation in Aging. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12314534/
- Mandelblatt, J. S., et al. (2024). Gerotherapeutics: aging mechanism-based pharmaceutical discovery and development. GeroScience. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11884862/
- Rolland, Y., et al. (2023). Challenges in developing geroscience trials. Nature Communications. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39786-7
This glossary entry is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.