ACTRIMS 2021 | Challenges in treating aging: public acceptance and biomarkers

Tal Iram, PhD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, discusses the major challenges in aging research, as well as the latest developments in the field. Dr Iram says achieving acceptance of aging as a treatable disease is a significant hindrance. Advancements in animal models dispute the general acceptance of aging as inevitable. Additionally, identifying biomarkers of aging and rejuvenation is a significant research focus to enable assessment of the efficacy of treatments targeting aging. Dr Iram also discusses the Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) Trial, the first clinical trial targeting aging. Based on epidemiological observations of decreased incidence of aging-related diseases in patients on metformin, the 6-year trial is assessing metformin in healthy individuals to assess its ability to delay the onset of aging-related diseases. This interview took place during the ACTRIMS Forum 2021.