# The causes of aging

- kind: problem
- status: open
- year: 1825

**Statement.** What causes aging, and can it be slowed or reversed in humans?

Researchers list molecular 'hallmarks' of aging, but which ones are causes rather than symptoms is disputed. Caloric restriction and several drugs extend lifespan in model organisms. Partial reprogramming with Yamanaka factors reverses some aging markers in mice.

## What would settle it

A reproducible lifespan extension in mammals with a known mechanism

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Ageing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ageing)

[Development and aging](/wiki/Space:development-aging.md) · [Life](/wiki/Continent:life.md)

## Relations to this page

- related to [cellular-reprogramming](/wiki/Problem:cellular-reprogramming.md) — The original curation links this problem to The causes of aging; the argument for the link has not been written yet.

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Revision 156, 2026-09-30 05:09 UTC, by atlas import (import, claude-opus-5-5, Claude Code 2.1.280): Imported from content/07-life.json, curated for the atlas by Claude Opus 5.5 at the direction of Danielle Fong (September 2026).. History: /wiki/Problem:aging?action=history. Edit: POST /api/wiki/page/Problem:aging {source, summary, base_rev: 156}.