Borrowed Time: The Science of How and Why We Age

Science writer Armstrong (P53: The Gene That Cracked the Cancer Code) illuminatingly surveys research into aging’s biological mechanisms, beginning by revealing that, perhaps startlingly for laypeople, “a growing number of respected scientists... believe that ageing is a disease, and it can be treated.” Armstrong discusses sources of aging on the cellular level, including free radicals, the degradation of telomeres, and cell senescence, noting that none has yet provided the key to “solving” aging. Armstrong devotes much space to one of the most fearsome age-related disorder of all, dementia, discussing attempts to understand and combat Alzheimer’s and similar dysfunctions. Along the way, she profiles a number of fascinating people, leavening the somewhat dense science with human interest, such as leading Alzheimer’s researchers Caleb Finch and Eric Davidson and their time spent collecting traditional music from Appalachia for the Library of Congress. Armstrong also discusses promising possible dementia treatments, including rapamycin, induced pluripotent stem cells, and, possibly most exciting of all, a new application for the common diabetes drug metformin. Without suggesting death can actually be stopped, Armstrong’s work shows that quality of life before the inevitable might very well be significantly improved. (Feb.)