DeepSummary
The transcript is an interview with Dr. Rich Miller, a professor of pathology and director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at the University of Michigan, discussing the Interventions Testing Program (ITP). The ITP is an initiative funded by the National Institute on Aging to evaluate potential life-extending interventions in mice. Dr. Miller explains the ITP's methodology, notable successes like rapamycin, 17α-estradiol, and acarbose, as well as failures such as resveratrol, metformin, and nicotinamide riboside.
Dr. Miller delves into the advantages of using genetically heterogeneous mice in the ITP, in contrast to the inbred strains commonly used in research. He discusses the significance of assessing healthspan, not just lifespan, and the promise of identifying biomarkers or 'aging speedometers' that could predict the rate of aging. Key examples include changes in proteins like UCP1, BDNF, and GPLD1 across various tissues.
The conversation covers recent findings, including the life-extending effects of over-the-counter drugs like meclizine and astaxanthin in male mice. Dr. Miller also addresses the controversial role of senescent cells in aging and the limitations of the senolytic drug fisetin in the ITP studies. Throughout, he emphasizes the importance of nuanced mechanistic exploration and the potential for translating ITP insights to human studies.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Interventions Testing Program (ITP) is a valuable initiative for evaluating potential life-extending drugs in mice using a genetically heterogeneous model.
- Notable successes from the ITP include drugs like rapamycin, 17α-estradiol, acarbose, and the recent findings with over-the-counter drugs like meclizine and astaxanthin.
- Assessing healthspan, not just lifespan, is crucial for determining if a drug truly slows aging, with measures like cognitive function, grip strength, and pathology.
- The search for aging biomarkers or 'speedometers' like changes in UCP1, BDNF, and GPLD1 could predict the rate of aging and screen for effective drugs.
- There is a need for nuanced exploration of mechanisms, such as the role of senescent cells, rather than oversimplification.
- Translating ITP insights to human studies is a key frontier, potentially through plasma biomarkers and assessing aging indicators in people.
- Continued funding and collaboration are essential for maximizing the impact of the ITP's work in understanding and targeting the biology of aging.
- The ITP's findings challenge conventional wisdom and could reshape our understanding of aging and longevity interventions.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We've sent in applications, so if the peer reviewers like it, we may get five more years of funding.“ by Richard Miller
- “We've had four published significant hits and another two or three that are significant, really small, and another two that are in press that should be, I hope, accepted soon. So this gives us a range of successful drugs, and we can then, and we do try again.“ by Richard Miller
- “The obvious hypothesis is that the drugs that extend lifespan will also postpone loss of cognitive function for complicated reasons. Catherine thinks that will be untrue, and I think it is true. So we'll see which of us is correct.“ by Richard Miller
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Episode Information
The Peter Attia Drive
Peter Attia, MD
12/4/23
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Richard Miller is a professor of pathology and the Director of the Center for Aging Research at the University of Michigan, as well as a previous guest on The Drive. In this episode, Rich provides an update on the exciting work of the Interventions Testing Program (ITP), an initiative designed to assess potential life-extending interventions in mice. Rich covers the notable successes like rapamycin, 17⍺-estradiol, and acarbose as well as nota...