#175 - Matt Kaeberlein, Ph.D.: The biology of aging, rapamycin, and other interventions that target the aging process

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Sep 13, 2021

Matt Kaeberlein, a renowned expert on aging, discusses groundbreaking research that links aging with chronic inflammation and the immune system. He highlights the potential of rapamycin and other interventions in extending lifespan. Kaeberlein shares insights from his Dog Aging Project, along with the critical importance of biomarkers and epigenetic clocks. They explore the complex relationships between aging, diseases, and nutritional strategies, suggesting that targeting biological aging may offer more significant benefits than merely treating age-related conditions.

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ANECDOTE

Reintroduction and Discussion Overview

Peter Attia reintroduces Matt Kaeberlein, a previous guest, to discuss aging.
The discussion will cover various aspects of aging, from the hallmarks to interventions like rapamycin.

INSIGHT

Defining Aging

Matt Kaeberlein's definition of aging depends on context, varying from molecular damage to functional decline.
He emphasizes functional decline, like frailty, as crucial, especially for translating interventions from animal studies to humans.

INSIGHT

Aging, Decline, and Disease

Functional declines often precede disease and are crucial for quality of life as we age.
Disease pathology eventually diverges from normative aging, making interventions less effective over time.

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Matt Kaeberlein is globally recognized for his research on the biology of aging and is a previous guest on The Drive. In this episode, Matt defines aging, the relationship between aging, chronic inflammation, and the immune system, and talks extensively about the most exciting molecules for extending lifespan. He discusses the current state of the literature of testing rapamycin (and rapalogs) in animals and humans, including Matt’s Dog Aging Project, and provides insights into how we can improve future trials by conceptualizing risk, choosing better endpoints, and working with regulators to approve such trials. He also examines the connection between aging and periodontal disease, biomarkers of aging, and epigenetic clocks. Finally, they explore some of the biological pathways involved in aging, including mTOR and its complexes, sirtuins, NAD, and NAD precursors. We discuss:

The various definitions of aging [3:25];
The relationship between disease and the biology of aging [16:15];
Potential for lifespan extension when targeting diseases compared to targeting biological aging [22:45];
Rapamycin as a longevity agent and the challenges of targeting the biology of aging with molecules [32:45];
Human studies using rapalogs for enhanced immune function [39:30];
The role of inflammation in functional declines and diseases of aging [50:45];
Study showing rapalogs may improve the immune response to a vaccine [56:15];
Roadblocks to studying gero-protective molecules in humans [1:01:30];
Potential benefits of rapamycin for age-related diseases—periodontal, reproductive function, and more [1:12:15];
Debating the ideal length and frequency of rapamycin treatment for various indications like inflammation and longevity [1:21:30];
Biomarkers of aging and epigenetic clocks [1:29:15];
Prospects of a test that could calculate biological age [1:37:45];
The Dog Aging Project testing rapamycin in pet dogs [1:42:30];
The role of the mTOR complexes [1:58:30];
mTor inhibitor called Torin2, mitochondrial disease and other potential pathways [2:09:45];
Catalytic inhibitors, sirtuins, and NAD [2:19:15];
NAD precursors: help or hype? [2:28:15]; and
More.

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