Here
are the main questions in the Biology of Aging. I suggest that the specialists
should extend the list of questions. And maybe, formulate the problems in more
detail. Everybody is welcome to express their opinion and suggest some
answers.
1. What are the mechanisms responsible for the differences in life expectancy within one species and between species?
2. Why do experimental impacts, like caloric restriction, delay the
onset of a number of age-related physiological and pathological changes
and increase the average and maximal life span in animals?
3. What is the relationship between aging and pathology?
4. At what stage of evolution did aging emerge?
5. How did the mechanisms of aging and anti-aging evolve?
6. What are the mechanisms of relationship between aging of an organism and aging on cellular level?
7. What is the reason for the existence of species with negligible aging?
8. How are reproduction and lifespan interrelated?
9. What is aging?
10. Why is there a decline in regenerative potential of an organism over time?
11. What is the role of epigenetic regulation during aging?
12. What is the role of inflammation in aging processes?
13. What is the role of genomic instability in aging processes?
14. What interventions in aging processes could extend the maximal lifespan of model animals and humans?
15. What is the effect of aging on the cells’ and organisms’ energy supplies and vica versa?
16. What is the role of the neuroendocrinal system in the regulation of aging processes?
17. What is the distinction of centenarians as compared to the whole population?
18. How relevant to humans are the results of life extension research on model animals?
19. What is essential for creating the unified synthetic theory of aging?
20. How did animals with negligible senescense evolve?
21. What are the factors influencing differences in the rate of aging among individuals?
22. What are the mechanisms of aging in cancer cells?
23. What is the relationship between aging and oncogenesis?
24. When does aging begin in humans?
25. When do manifestations of aging begin?
26. What are the molecular biological mechanisms of regeneration during sleep?
27. What is necessary for the creation of an exhaustive list of biomarkers of aging?
28. Can neurogenesis be stimulated?
29. What are the mechanisms of how higher nervous system activity influences the mechanisms of aging?
30. What are the factors defining the rate and efficiency of stress responses?
Maria Konovalenko 
I am not an expert, but it was once the opinion Michael West that senescence began with sexual reproduction. Of course we really cannot lay the blame on sex, since their is no “intention” or mind behind the process.
Great questions that we all should think about. I’ll try to be in that process from now on!
It occurred to me if there is any relationship between the beginning of aging in humans and the maturing of the neural network of the brain around middle 20s ?
and some futuristic questions about how will the brain adapt (memories e.g.) and make sense of the world in such a brief time. what kind of neurological pathologies could emerge?
I think the case of that octagenary indian man Prahlad Jani “I feel no need for food and water” when investigated will illuminate many areas of medicine and revolutionize physiological principles and therefore be important in giving some answers in this thematic of aging.
I hate to question the opinion of renowned scientists, but I do need to ask – well, what about the segregative type of aging then? It’s when a part of the cell population ages, because of the assimetric redestribution of “old”, damaged macromolecules between the mother and the dauther cells. I believe this can be seen in bacteria.
The relationship between the brain and aging is extremely interesting. Maybe, aging is to a large extent goverened by changes in the neuroendocrinal regulation, since it’s one of the main regulatory systems in our body. Actually, the relation is in both ways: aging processes influence the brain and visa versa. Also, one of the things that may contribute to aging is the phycological aspect.
And Sara, do you really believe in this indian fraud? No-one can survive without food or water for decades, not even for a month. This is a fairy-tale told by mass media or whoever was interested in this story. I just think we must be reasonable. Yes, I know, I also sometimes want to believe in miracles, but I really prefer logic and common sence. It’s only the thing that are proven in scientific experiments that can help us prolong our life. Therefore, we need more research into the mechanisms of aging.
what do you think about mental aging – that is deteriorating of the “image of self”? If someone think that he is older then he is, will it contribute to his actual aging?