Longevity & Aging Series (S2, E3): Dr. Jon Berner

In this installment of the Longevity & Aging Series, Dr. Jon Berner from the Woodinville Psychiatric Associates in Woodinville, WA, joined host Dr. Evgeniy Galimov to discuss a research paper he co-authored that was published in Volume 16, Issue 14 of Aging (Aging-US), entitled, “mTORC1 activation in presumed classical monocytes: observed correlation with human size variation and neuropsychiatric disease.” DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206033 Corresponding author - Jon Berner - jonbernermd@gmail.com Video interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45L89MaJ7qA Abstract Background: Gain of function disturbances in nutrient sensing are likely the largest component in human age-related disease. Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity affects health span and longevity. The drugs ketamine and rapamycin are effective against chronic pain and depression, and both affect mTORC1 activity. Our objective was to measure phosphorylated p70S6K, a marker for mTORC1 activity, in individuals with psychiatric disease to determine whether phosphorylated p70S6K could predict medication response. Methods: Twenty-seven females provided blood samples in which p70S6K and phosphorylated p70S6K were analyzed. Chart review gathered biometric measurements, clinical phenotypes, and medication response. Questionnaires assessed anxiety, depression, autism traits, and mitochondrial dysfunction, to determine neuropsychiatric disease profiles. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to identify predictors of medication response. Results: mTORC1 activity correlated highly with both classical biometrics (height, macrocephaly, pupil distance) and specific neuropsychiatric disease profiles (anxiety and autism). Across all cases, phosphorylated p70S6K was the best predictor for ketamine response, and also the best predictor for rapamycin response in a single instance. Conclusions: The data illustrate the importance of mTORC1 activity in both observable body structure and medication response. This report suggests that a simple assay may allow cost-effective prediction of medication response. Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206033 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, ketamine, lithium, monocyte, mTORC1, rapamycin About Aging-US The mission of the journal is to understand the mechanisms surrounding aging and age-related diseases, including cancer as the main cause of death in the modern aged population. The journal aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.) Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM