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The roots of NIA’s Intramural Research Program (IRP) trace back to the pioneering work of Dr. Nathan Shock and the launch of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (BLSA) in 1958. The NIA IRP has since evolved into a robust and broad aging research program, and BLSA is now the nation’s longest running longitudinal study of human aging.
Overall, the NIA IRP remains focused on three priority areas: neuroscience, aging biology, and translational gerontology. In celebration of NIA’s 50th anniversary, I’m delighted to reflect on some of the IRP scientific achievements in these areas to date and what’s in store for the future.
An evolving understanding of aging science
Aging science looks different today thanks to advances in understanding of the biological, clinical, and functional changes that occur with aging and aging-related diseases. NIA’s IRP has been at the forefront of much of this research and achievements to date. For example, the BLSA, which is now a global resource for scientists, established functional measures for healthy aging research that have shaped clinical care for older adults and strengthened the foundation of geriatric medicine. Key BLSA findings — demonstrating that everyone ages differently and illustrating the link between some aging-related biological changes and chronic disease development — have further advanced aging science.
More recently, increasing recognition of geroscience and the hallmarks of aging are also changing our field. Geroscience is aimed at understanding the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that make aging a major risk factor and are drivers of common chronic conditions and diseases of older people. NIA is working to unlock key insights into how these aging-related mechanisms might work. For example, our IRP scientists helped demonstrate that calorie restriction may help extend life span and delay adverse aging changes in animal models. This concept was further tested in clinical trials funded via NIA’s extramural research program. While more studies are needed, initial findings indicate the IRP results may eventually have broader applications that will benefit human health.
Fueling future discovery
Spurred by these and other discoveries, the NIA IRP is conducting in-depth research into specific aging-related biological mechanisms as targets for future interventions and therapeutics. We’re continuing to study caloric restriction and also further exploring cellular senescence, mitochondrial function, and other scientific areas of promise.
Moreover, the interdisciplinary nature of geroscience has led to more collaborative scientific efforts at IRP such as hybrid laboratories where experts in molecular, cell, and experimental biology work alongside epidemiologists to examine the biological mechanisms of aging. For example, the BLSA and Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Life Span study now involve the collection of biomarkers to inform investigations into the role of race, environment, and socioeconomic status on health. This is also informing our work in dementia research as we explore new connections between brain physiology and chronic diseases of aging.
Additionally, in collaboration with the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIA also leads the NIH IRP Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD). Established in 2019, CARD supports basic, translational, and clinical research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and is generating open science resources, data, and tools that scientists can use to investigate these diseases.
Envisioning our next generation of researchers
It is a great honor to be part of such a diverse, talented team of scientists and staff. A key to continued success is effectively developing the next generation of investigators. I encourage students and professionals of all levels, from high school students to post-doctoral researchers, to explore IRP’s full suite of training opportunities in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. We welcome your input as well on what’s next for the NIA IRP, so please leave a comment below!
50th Anniversary Scientific Resources 2024-07-17T00:00:00Z