"Эскулап"
Санкт-Петербург
1999

Russian Academy of Sciences
GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY
St.Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology of The North-Western Branch of The Russian Academy of Medical Sciences

V.N.Anisimov, M.V.Soloviev

THE EVOLUTION OF CONCEPTS IN GERONTOLOGY

Saint-Petersburg
"Aesculap"
1999

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1. AN REVIEW ON THE HISTORY OF GERONTOLOGY

1.1. THE HISTORY OF GERONTOLOGY: DIVISION INTO PERIODS

1.1.1. Cognition and modeling

1.1.2. Division of the history of gerontology from the theory of models point of view

1.1.3. Another variants of the gerontology periodization

1.2. PERIOD OF QUALITATIVE MODELS

1.2.1. Life span prolongationin ancient civilizations

1.2.2. Daosism

1.2.3. Gerocomia

1.2.4. Alchemistry

1.3. PERIOD OF QUALITATIVE MODELS

1.3.1. The idea of progress and scientific methodology formation in gerontology

1.3.2. Beginning of scientific study on aging

1.3.3. Continuation of gerocomia tradition

1.4. PERIOD OF ANALYTICAL MODELS

1.4.1. Beginning of gerontology as a independent scientific discipline

1.4.2. First attempts to prolongs life span based on biological background

1.5. PERIOD OF CYBERNETIC MODELS

1.5.1. Modern gerontology formation

1.5.2. Necessity of automatization of gerontological research

1.5.3. Perspectives of nanotechnology for the solving of the life span prolongation problem

2. MODERN CONCEPTS IN GERONTOLOGY

2.1. GENETICS OF AGING AND LONGEVITY

2.1.1. Population genetics of aging

2.1.2. Hereditary premature aging (progeria)

2.1.3. Reproductive behaviour and evolution of life span

2.1.4. Genes of death and longevity in nonvertebrates

2.1.5. Studies with transgenic animals

2.1.6. Candidate genes of death and longevity in humans

2.1.7. Role of specific chromosomes in aging

2.2. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF AGING

2.2.1. Role of somatic mutations in aging

2.2.2. DNA methylation and aging

2.2.3. Glycosilation of DNA and proteins

2.2.4. DNA repair and aging

2.2.5. Changes of gene structure and function in aging

2.3. "HAYFLICK LIMITS", THEORY OF MARGINOTOMY, TELOMERES AND TELOMERASE

2.4. APOPTOSIS AND LIFE SPAN

2.5. FREE RADICAL THEORY OF AGING

2.6. CALORIC RESTRICTED DIET AND AGING

2.7. IMMUNOLOGICAL THEORY OF AGING

2.8. ELEVATION THEORY OF AGING

2.9. ROLE OF PINEAL GLAND IN MECHANISMS OF AGING

3. PERSPECTIVES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF GERONTOLOGY IN RUSSIA

4. REFERENCES

5. APPENDIXES

5.1. List of main monographs of Soviet and Russian researchers on gerontology

5.2. List of Russian gerontological journals and periodic publications

5.3. List of Russian gerontological research institutes and geriatric centers

5.4. List of main Russian research institutes and universities working in the field of gerontology

Anisimov V.N., Soloviev M.V. The Evolution of Concepts in Gerontology.- St.Petersburg: Aesculap, 1999.- .... P.

The original periodization of the development of gerontology from ancient toward present times as well as the analysis of basic concepts on the origin of aging are given in the monograph. Main attention has been paid to the most important achievements in contemporary gerontology. The brief view on the state-of-art and perspectives of the development of gerontology in Russia are given as well.
The book is addressed to a wide range of biologists, physiologists, biochemists, geneticists and medical doctors and students who interested in gerontology and life extension.