Ageing, Neuroimmunology and Nutrition

Description

The group on “Aging, Neuroimmunology and Nutrition” (ANN) develops wide research in the field of aging and more specifically on the age-related changes in the homeostatic systems such as the nervous and especially the immune system as well as in the neuroimmune communication. The group has also been innovator and pioneer in the search for markers of the “Biological Age” of each person, that is to say, his/her rate of aging. In this context the group proposed an immune function profile, which allows the determination of this biological age, and currently it is continuing in the detection and validation of new markers of biological age. The group has also studied different life style strategies, involving those about nutrition, which could slow down the aging process.

One of the recently incorporated lines of investigation has been to study the mechanisms of vascular damages, which affect the body´s responses to chronic inflammation, in both patients and experimental models.

The general and specific objectives are the following:

1. Characterization of markers of the rate of aging (Biological Age).
   1. Study of immune cell function parameters, and those of oxidative and inflammatory stress, in humans and experimental animals throughout their life. Relationship with life span.
   2. The same as in “a” for centenarians and long-lived mice.
   3. The same as in “a” for subjects with pathological states, which could suppose premature aging (obesity, anxiety, depression, COPD. Alzheimer´s disease,…) as well as for experimental animals having similar characteristics.
   4. Relate the above parameters with personality, character. emotions, etc. in humans, and with behavior responses in mice.
2. Life style strategies to reach a healthy longevity. In humans using transverse approaches and in mice with longitudinal studies to relate these strategies with longevity.
   1. Nutritional interventions (diets with antioxidants and probiotics).
   2. Environmental and social enrichment.
   3. Diagnostic and therapeutic markers of cell damages in chronic inflammation.