Understanding Ageing [Paperback]

This book explains why ageing exists, reviews our understanding of it at the biological level and discusses age-related diseases.Drawing on material from a wide range of disciplines, including extensive biomedical information about age-related disease in humans, this text stresses the need to pursue research on the cellular and molecular aspects of aging if the origin of the disease is to be understood.Drawing on material from a wide range of disciplines, including extensive biomedical information about age-related disease in humans, this text stresses the need to pursue research on the cellular and molecular aspects of aging if the origin of the disease is to be understood.This book presents a completely novel approach to understanding aging: it explains both why aging exists in animals and reviews our current understanding of it at the biological level. Dr. Holliday argues that much research needs to be done on the cellular and molecular aspects of aging if the origin of age-related diseases is to be understood. In making this argument, the author draws on material from a wide range of disciplines, including extensive biomedical information about age-related disease in humans. This thought-provoking book will appeal to all students and researchers who are interested in aging, whether they are working in the clinical or basic research sphere.Preface; Author's note; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. The evolved anatomical and physiological design of mammals; 3. Maintenance of the adult organism; 4. Theories of ageing; 5. Cellular ageing; 6. Genetic programmes for ageing; 7. The evolution of longevity; 8. Human disease and ageing; 9. A better understanding of ageing; Notes; References; Author index; Subject index. This is a remarkable book in that it lucidly explains the complex processes of aging, from theories and evolution to genetic and cellular mechanisms, in a short and concise manner....Both clinicians and basic researchers interested in aging will find thl3+