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Incredible: 2017 Annual Report

The American Federation for Aging Research is pleased to release our 2017 annual report, themed “Incredible.” The report’s theme is inspired by the new PBS documentary, Incredible Aging: Adding Life to Our Years, featuring over one dozen AFAR experts.

This year’s report highlights three extraordinary scientists who are driving innovative age-related research that received early support through an AFAR grant.

First, Comparing Animal Models Bolsters Research On Aging and Cancer highlights the research of 2005 AFAR Research Grantee Vera Gorbunova, Ph.D. Dr. Gobunova believes that understanding the mechanisms that have naturally evolved in long-lived animals to protect them from cancer may have a profound effect on the field of human aging.

The report’s second feature story, Exploring Normal Cognitive Decline Uncovers Resilience Against Alzheimer’s highlights the research of 2014 New Investigator Award in Alzheimer’s Disease Catherine Kaczorowski, Ph.D. Dr. Kaczorowski’s research aims to answer the question: Will preserving normal brain aging completely preserve cognitive health in Alzheimer’s disease or are there other mechanisms that people with Alzheimer’s disease need to have addressed in order to extend their cognitive lifespan as well?

Next, Studying The Role Of Aging with Age-Related Diseases Transforms Research highlights the work of 1993 AFAR Research Grant recipient Felipe Sierra, Ph.D. Dr. Sierra is one of the most respected champions of geroscience: an interdisciplinary field that aims to understand, at the molecular level, the relationship between biological aging and age-related diseases and other conditions that diminish our quality of life.

Additionally, Planning An Incredible Future: TAME shares updates on the Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) Trial led by Deputy Scientific Director Nir Barzilai, M.D., and managed by AFAR. The TAME Trial aims to lead clinical trials to prove that health can be extended by targeting the biological processes of aging. This innovative project paves the way for an incredible future of healthy aging through new drug interventions.

Lastly, the annual report also spotlights the 2017 grantees and events, as well as a special tribute to the Centers of Excellence program that AFAR managed, with comments by Medical Officer Richard M. Besdine, M.D.

The report is available here.

Review past annual reports here.

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