Chronic inflammation is recognized as a globally prevalent condition related to aging that worsens chronic disease states, drives functional and cognitive decline, and accelerates mortality in older adults. Age-related etiological drivers are likely senescent cells, altered immune system composition, mitochondrial declines, altered microbiome, and chronic infections such as CMV. The consequence of chronic inflammation is increased production of inflammatory chemokines and cytokines and an altered adaptive immune system which drives pathophysiological changes in organs and tissues, which in turn accelerates adverse health outcomes and chronic disease status in older adults. Although many inflammatory cytokines have been used to identify older adults with chronic inflammation, no diagnostic gold standard exists. Further, few if any preventive and treatment strategies beyond exercise have been identified or tested. In this interdisciplinary and translational symposium, assembled by the Geroscience Interest group of the Gerontological Society of America, an international roster of speakers will discuss 1) the prevalence, consequences, and diagnostic considerations for chronic inflammation from studies of older adults from around the world, 2) the molecular etiologies and the cellular mechanisms, including cellular debris and auto reactive processes, that drive chronic diseases, 3) the role of the altered immune system and the impact of chronic infections such as CMV on the development of chronic inflammation and adaptive immune system modulation and 4) novel intervention strategies in older adults including fish oil and losartan that target chronic inflammation and mobility.
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