UNN scientists help people to keep a sharp mind in old age

A new diagnostic system has been developed at Lobachevsky University to identify lifestyle changes that contribute to maintaining strength and mental clarity at the age of 80. The system is based on the analysis of individual genetic characteristics. The findings were presented at the 15th International Multi-Conference "Bioinformatics of Genome Regulation and Structure/Systems Biology" BGRS/SB-2026.

"The outcome of our research provides an indicator that allows predicting in advance what changes a particular person could make in their aging trajectory to feel joy and a desire to live at 80, rather than starting their day with a handful of pills for breakfast," said Maria Vedunova, one of the study authors and Director of the UNN Institute of Biology and Biomedicine.

The novel diagnostic system relies on identifying aging markers — specific sites of "auxiliary" RNA molecules that can be used to track age-related inflammation. According to Dr. Vedunova, this process is among the primary issues associated with aging, acting as both a consequence and a cause of numerous age-related diseases.

She explained that while age is genetically "programmed" in every organism, the course of the aging process also depends on epigenetic factors.

"For instance, it is common knowledge that type 2 diabetes is associated with genetics, but it rarely occurs in people in their 20s, while by the age of 60, it affects one in every three individuals. A person has the same genes at 20 and 60, yet at some point, dormant disease-related genes become active. This phenomenon is known as epigenetics — the result of the interaction between our genome and the environment," she added.

Dr. Vedunova stressed that the primary goal of the research is not to find new markers of aging, but to reach a comprehensive conclusion based on an individual's specific parameters and to provide guidance to the patient on how to achieve healthy aging.

We have identified new markers at the levels of microRNAs, ring RNAs, and genome methylation. However, the most significant achievement is that during our research, we found that in people over 85 years of age with 'successful' aging, some of the classical age-associated markers do not function at all. This is what enabled them to exceed average life expectancy. Timely modelling of human behaviour will help make more people happier and healthier in old age," she explained.

The study was conducted with the support of the state assignment "Cognitive Longevity and Methods for Its Extension."