Rapamycin and Lifespan Extension

"Rapamycin and Lifespan Extension" offers a comprehensive exploration into the groundbreaking discovery of rapamycin and its potential implications for human aging. Initially found on Easter Island and identified as an antifungal agent, rapamycin soon gained attention for its ability to inhibit the mTOR pathway, a key regulator in cell growth, metabolism, and aging. Chapter I provides an overview of the history of lifespan research, setting the stage for the subsequent introduction to rapamycin's discovery, significance, and its molecular mechanisms. Chapters II and III delve deeper into rapamycin's natural origins, its uses in medicine, and its early observations in simple organisms, culminating in detailed discussions of mammalian studies and challenges in human administration. Chapter IV uncovers rapamycin's multifaceted impacts on health, from its role as a caloric restriction mimic, reducer of cellular senescence, enhancer of stem cell function, to a modulator of inflammation and immunity. Yet, with these benefits come potential drawbacks and side effects, explored in Chapter V alongside ethical dilemmas of lifespan extension, differing efficacies among populations, and the economic ramifications of an extended-living population. Chapter VI focuses on the neurodegenerative aspects, detailing rapamycin's effects on cognitive function, memory, and its potential in treating age-related diseases. The concluding Chapter VII anticipates the future, discussing ongoing research, personalized medicine approaches, and the societal implications of extended lifespans. Together, this book provides a holistic view of rapamycin's promise and challenges in the quest for extending human healthspan and lifespan.