Version 1
: Received: 22 October 2023 / Approved: 23 October 2023 / Online: 23 October 2023 (04:00:37 CEST)
Version 2
: Received: 21 November 2023 / Approved: 23 November 2023 / Online: 23 November 2023 (04:05:44 CET)
Version 3
: Received: 13 May 2024 / Approved: 14 May 2024 / Online: 14 May 2024 (09:11:20 CEST)
How to cite:
Kern, C.; Faragher, R.; Jenkins, A.; Stebbing, J. Uncovering the Blueprint of Ageing: The Aetiology of Age-Related Disease. Preprints2023, 2023101387. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.1387.v3
Kern, C.; Faragher, R.; Jenkins, A.; Stebbing, J. Uncovering the Blueprint of Ageing: The Aetiology of Age-Related Disease. Preprints 2023, 2023101387. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.1387.v3
Kern, C.; Faragher, R.; Jenkins, A.; Stebbing, J. Uncovering the Blueprint of Ageing: The Aetiology of Age-Related Disease. Preprints2023, 2023101387. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.1387.v3
APA Style
Kern, C., Faragher, R., Jenkins, A., & Stebbing, J. (2024). Uncovering the Blueprint of Ageing: The Aetiology of Age-Related Disease. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.1387.v3
Chicago/Turabian Style
Kern, C., Annalisa Jenkins and Justin Stebbing. 2024 "Uncovering the Blueprint of Ageing: The Aetiology of Age-Related Disease" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.1387.v3
Abstract
Age-related diseases place an intense and growing stress on healthcare systems. Numerous theories of ageing exist. Yet prediction, prevention and treatment limitations of age-related disease persist because we lack a complete aetiological understanding of their origins. Here we propose a new theory that aims to provide a blueprint-type understanding of ageing and disease aetiology, working across multiple scientific disciplines. Supported by specific examples, we demonstrate that the primary driver of much of age-related diseases is the futile triggering of specific molecular pathways in a pathological manner, which we term patho-pathways. Patho-pathways induce pathological cell, tissue and system changes in the form of hyperactivity (undesirable increased and new biological activities that are typical of age related disease). As part of patho-pathways, all wild-type (normal) genes have the potential to contribute to age-related diseases (though specific risk varies and can be formularised). In a domino-style effect, one patho-pathway typically triggers others, resulting in complex, but traceable, cascades. Utility, in terms of changing clinical and scientific practice, is derived from mapping these cascades to create Blueprint Maps that allow identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets far upstream in the causal chain of events. Finally, our theory provides testable hypotheses concerning predictions of links between otherwise seemingly disparate diseases as well as new interventions into ageing.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
