AI has mapped global aging research

The analysis showed that in recent decades, research on aging has noticeably shifted from fundamental biology to clinical medicine. Previously, scientists mainly studied aging processes at the level of cells and animal models, but today the main focus is on age-related diseases, primarily Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The shift reflects growing pressure from an aging population and healthcare system.

Fundamental science and clinical research are increasingly developing in parallel, with almost no overlap. Biologists continue to study aging mechanisms such as oxidative stress, telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular aging, while clinical science focuses on the care of the elderly and the treatment of age-related diseases. According to the authors, the lack of links between these areas slows down the transfer of scientific discoveries into real medical practice.

The analysis also showed that some promising topics, including autophagy, RNA regulation, and cell sensitivity to nutrients, are actively developing, but are still poorly related to clinical research. At the same time, potentially important combinations of topics, such as the relationship between mitochondrial disorders and cellular aging or between epigenetics and autophagy, remain relatively poorly understood.

This AI approach allows us not only to summarize the past, but also to identify areas where future research can have the greatest effect. As the world’s population continues to age, understanding how the biological mechanisms of aging are linked to specific diseases and conditions is becoming particularly important. The future of aging science lies in a closer integration of basic and clinical research.