Leading scientists in aging answer questions about the latest developments in the field.

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John Morley, M.B. B.Ch., on Frailty

John E. Morley, M.B. B.Ch. Professor & Division Chief of Geriatrics St. Louis University School of Medicine The word "frail" is used colloquially to describe older people so often that many people do not realize that frailty is a distinct geriatric syndrome. Dr. John…

Stephen Thielke, MD, MSPH: Pain Management & Aging

Stephen Thielke, MD, MSPH Assistant Professor University of Washington According to the National Institutes of Health, pain is the most common reason Americans access medical care and a leading cause of disability. As common as pain is, many misconceptions about pain management persist. Geriatric pain expert Dr. Stephen Thielke…

Daniel E.L. Promislow, PhD: How Long Will I Live? It’s in Your Genes, Hundreds of Them

Daniel E.L. Promislow, PhD Associate Professor of Genetics University of Georgia While you may have the genes for red hair and blue eyes, contrary to common thinking, one gene alone or even two won’t determine whether you will develop a disease or live a long, healthy…

Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD, on Understanding and Managing Neuropathic Pain

Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School Assistant in Pathology (Neuropathology) Massachusetts General Hospital Pain is a major public health problem.  According to the 2011 report by the Institute of Medicine, at least 116 million adult Americans experience some form of chronic pain each year,…

Judith Campisi, PhD, Explains Cancer and the Aging Process

Many people know that aging is the biggest risk factor for cancer, but fewer know why. Judith Campisi, PhD, has been a pioneer developing our understanding of the basic biological mechanisms underlying this relationship. Today, Dr. Campisi is a Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a…

Malaz Boustani, MD, MPH, on Alzheimer's Disease and Memory

Malaz Boustani, MD, MPH Associate Professor of Medicine, Indiana University Center for Aging Research Scientist, Regenstrief Institute Medical Director, Healthy Aging Brain Center at Wishard Alzheimer's disease is nearly surpassing cancer as the disease Americans are most fearful of getting, according to a survey commissioned by the MetLife…

R. Sean Morrison, MD, on Caring for Aging Parents

R. Sean Morrison, MD Director, National Palliative Care Research Center Vice Chair for Research Professor, Departments of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, and Internal Medicine The Mount Sinai Hospital A survey conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving estimates that more than one third of adult children are caring for…