aging presentations

In comparative studies, APOE ε4 carriers demonstrated  all those traits EXCEPT

fewer arterial aneurysms

increased fertility

Slightly better myocardial performance

decreased perinatal and infant mortality

reduced risk of Alzheimer disease

reduced risk of Alzheimer disease

The study on Grandmother hypothesis by Simon N. Chapman etal states that

Grandmother’s help may be most critical around child’s weaning age

The presence of maternal grandmothers aged 50-75 decreased grandchild survival

Pre-industrial Finnish population is a good model for studying demographics of modern society

Post-reproductive lifespan in females  causes increased mortality of newborns from infectious diseases

Benefits of grandmother’s presence persist up until her death if she lives past 70.

Grandmother’s help may be most critical around child’s weaning age

Which one of the following is correct about Huntington disease (HT)?

Presence of CAG repeats in Huntingtin gene means that the individual will develop HT

CAG repeats code for polyglutamine chain

 HT is inherited in autosomal recessive manner

Children of individual affected by HD exhibit milder course of the disease and later manifestation of symptoms

The size of Huntingtin gene is comparatively small

CAG repeats code for polyglutamine chain

Which statement is incorrect about Huntington Disease in Kids-HD study (see Mohit Neema etal)?

Study enrolled kids receiving experimental medication for HD

Larger brain volumes in mutant Huntingtin carriers did not translate into  a decreased brain function

Functional cognitive scores in mutant Huntingtin carriers are higher than in controls

The at-risk kids with affected parents have a 50% chance of having the mutation responsible for HD.

Mutant Huntingtin may confer early-life advantages in brain development at the cost of later life neurodegeneration

Study enrolled kids receiving experimental medication for HD

Which one of the following is true about biomarkers of aging? (Wagner etal, Nutrients, 2016)

Currently here are no accurate aging biomarkers in clinical practice 

Thyroid panel has a high prediction value for aging 

Hb A1c (glycosylated Hb) is the most accurate predictor of successful aging

By using a biomarkers panel, we can predict "unsuccessful" aging years in advance 

Biochemical panels are good predictors of successful aging

Currently here are no accurate aging biomarkers in clinical practice 

Examine the panel A of the  Figure 1 form  the paper by Smith eta, Proc R Soc B, 2012 . Panel describes Effects of BRCA1/2 mutation status on number of children ever born to women who are BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, based on women's birth year. Which statement is true about this experiment based on the information provided in the paper?

BRCA1/2 careers are more prone to follow the traditional female roles in society to have more children and to have them earlier

Introduction of oral contraceptives did not affect number of children per woman in BRCA1/2 carriers 

The difference between the number of children per woman in BRCA1/2 carriers vs normal controls did not reach statistical significance across all birth year intervals 

BRCA1/2 mutation carriers had more children because they were aware of their mutation status and wanted to procreate faster

Subjects were grouped by birth-year intervals corresponding to changes in oral contraceptive availability to the general public

Birth year intervals in BRCA1/2 carriers were selected to account for the lack of men as a result of the World War II

Subjects were grouped by birth-year intervals corresponding to changes in oral contraceptive availability to the general public

Which one of the conditions discussed in class exhibits anticipation? 

BRCA1/2 breast cancer 

Thyroid cancer  

Alzheimer's disease 

Huntington's disease 

Endometriosis 

Huntington's disease 

In the paper by Wagner etal, Nutrients, 2016, Throponin is mentioned as a biomarker (see table 1). Which one is true about this analyte?  

Troponin is a non-specific marker and can be elevated solely due to the cognitive impairment 

Cognitive impairment is usually accompanied by the Tropnin elevation

Elevated troponin is a marker of myocardial injury, and myocardial infarction must be ruled out immediately.

Troponin measurements can accurately predict frailty and cognitive impairment.

Troponin and NT-proBNP are the same biomarker and can be used interchangeably 

Elevated troponin is a marker of myocardial injury, and myocardial infarction must be ruled out immediately.

Billirubin was discussed in Wager, eta, Nurtients 2016. What is true about utility of this compound? 

Accumulation of bilirubin is beneficial and can can serve as anti-aging marker 

Bilirubin is difficult to measure clinically, so it limits its effectiveness as a marker 

Bilirubin due to its structure can trap iron atoms and cause hemolysis and anemia 

Billirubin is a staring point for biosynthesis of porphyrin ring that is a part of the heme 

Bilirubin can function as a natural antioxidant in the body due to its conjugated double-bond structure

Bilirubin can function as a natural antioxidant in the body due to its conjugated double-bond structure

 

On this picture of a lipoprotein particle, ApoE4 is depicted as

A

B

C

D

E

C

(Team 2 senescence paper) Paper by Jean-Philippe Coppé etal 2010, 'The senescence -associated secretory phenotype: The dark side of tumor suppression" uses an ATTAC transgenic mice model. These mice have primary disrupted production of

 

 Antibodies

Red blood cells

Platelets

 Neutrophils

Thymocytes

 Neutrophils

Match

CDK, E2F, P53, BAX, Rb

^

|

group of enzymes regulating cell cycle, a family of transcription factors, regulating cell cycle, a guardian of the genome, an apoptotic activator protein, a tumor suppressor inhibiting cell cycle progression

CDK

group of enzymes regulating cell cycle

E2F

a family of transcription factors, regulating cell cycle

P53

a guardian of the genome

BAX

an apoptotic activator protein

Rb

a tumor suppressor inhibiting cell cycle progression

Which one is correct about senescent cells?

 

 

 They secrete soluble mediators

They are rapidly dividing

 They primarily perform phagocytosis

They do not have gene expression

They have overactive telomerase

They secrete soluble mediators

The senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) is associated with all of the following EXCEPT

affecting differentiation status of other cells

de-repression of their own telomerase

Stimulating cell motility and migration

 Modulating activity of immune cells

promoting leukocyte recruitment

de-repression of their own telomerase

KLOTHO protein has been proposed to play a role in protection against aging. A biotechnology company proposes to deliver the KLOTHO protein as an oral solution in physiological saline. What is the most likely outcome of this product application?

 

NF kappa B  signaling will be upreagulated leading to an increased cellular inflammation 

Protein will be completely digested by proteases in the GI tract 

KLOTHO protein level in blood will significantly rise which is problematic since KLOTHO is an intracellular protein 

Telomerase activity will be reduced and telomeres will shorten quicker

Kidney potassium homeostasis will be affected, leading to a potassium build-up in blood

Protein will be completely digested by proteases in the GI tract 

What is the role of Eomesodermin (Eomes) in the CD4 T-cell population described in the paper by Elyahu et al., “CD4 T cells acquire Eomesodermin to modulate cellular senescence and aging” (Nature Aging, 2025) desribes 

It is a cytokine secreted by senescent cells to suppress T-cell activation

It is a cell-surface receptor that recognizes senescence-associated secretory proteins

It is a transcription factor that induces irreversible senescence in CD4 T cells

It is a transcription factor associated with the differentiation of a CD4 T-cells  that decease accumulation of senescent cells 

It is a protease that directly degrades senescent cells.

It is a transcription factor associated with the differentiation of a CD4 T-cells  that decease accumulation of senescent cells 

What was the effect of selectively deleting Eomes in CD4 T cells in aged mice? (Elyahu et al., “CD4 T cells acquire Eomesodermin to modulate cellular senescence and aging” (Nature Aging, 2025)

Build-up of senescent cells and reduced lifespan.

Increased CD8 T-cell proliferation but no effect on tissue senescence

Reduced inflammatory cytokine production and reversal of tissue aging

Decreased accumulation of senescent cells and increased lifespan

Reversal of carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis in mouse livers

Build-up of senescent cells and reduced lifespan.

Paper by  Elyahu et al., “CD4 T cells acquire Eomesodermin to modulate cellular senescence and aging” (Nature Aging, 2025) mentions  senolytic Navitoclax. Which statement is correct? 

It decreasess expression of CD4 markers  in T-lymphocytes 

It can induce apoptosis in senescent cells

It  is widely used in clinical practice as a senolytic to counteract effects of aging 

It directly induced Eomes expression in naive CD4 T cells

It converted CD4-Eomes cells into regulatory T cells

It can induce apoptosis in senescent cells

How can the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) affect tumor progression? (Campisi and colleagues’ paper, “The Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype: The Dark Side of Tumor Suppression” (2010).

Secretion of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs prevents EMT by maintaining epithelial cell adhesion

Inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs promotes EMT and increases tumor cell invasiveness

Secretion of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs induces permanent cell-cycle arrest in neighboring tumor cells

It promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increases tumor cell invasiveness.

Secretion of inflammatory cytokines and Matrix Metalloproteases  (MMPs) promotes epithelial differentiation and reduces tumor cell migration

It promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increases tumor cell invasiveness.

How does epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) affect cancer progression?

It inhibits tumor growth by inducing permanent cell-cycle arrest in cancer cells

It suppresses cancer progression by increasing cell motility and reducing cell adhesion

It prevents metastasis by increasing cell proliferation and maintaining cell adhesion

It promotes cancer invasion and metastasis by increasing cell motility and reducing cell adhesion

It promotes cancer progression by reducing cell motility and increasing cell adhesion

It promotes cancer invasion and metastasis by increasing cell motility and reducing cell adhesion

In naked mole rats (NMRs) mechanisms which prevent the development of tumors are called cell-autonomous because:

Each type of cells in NMR proliferate slower than cells in other  animals of comparable size

Each autonomous organ is made of cells

Each tissue has its own circadian clock

Each cell is autonomous from other cells

Each cell type has smaller cells than that in in other  animals of comparable size

Each type of cells in NMR proliferate slower than cells in other  animals of comparable size

What happened to FSH-beta in M. Brandtii bats?

It started to induce hybernation

It changed function to prevent metabolic conversion of protein to uric acid

It underwent duplication into 4 copies

It was deleted from the genome

It acquired mutation at a conservative amino acid position

It acquired mutation at a conservative amino acid position

Which physiological axis got altered in M. Brandtii in order to develop longer lifespan (as described in the paper) ?

 

Hybernation- Wake Cycle Axis

Hypothalamus-_Pituitary-Adrenal axis

Gut-Brain Axis

GH/IGF1 axis

Circadian Axis

GH/IGF1 axis

What common feature enables longevity in long living animals?

Hybernation

Elevated basal metabolic rate

Increased Neuronal plasticity 

Delayed sexual maturity 

Ability to withstand low temperatures

Delayed sexual maturity 

In the Brandt’s bat, a TRPV5 gene was identified to play a potential role in echolocation.  This gene is a

 Potassium channel

 Calcium channel

Chloride cannel

Vanilloid channel

Sodium channel

 Calcium channel

A genetic adaptation in M. Brandtii vision leads to

Alteration is structure of their core photoreceptors

Adaptation for a dim light vision

 Increased acuteness of bright-light vision

 Increased acuteness of their color vision

Atrophy of an optic nerve

Adaptation for a dim light vision

Comparing the human genome with C.elegans genome, which conclusion is most likely incorrect?

 

Complexity of an organism increases steeply with a number of protein-coding genes in its genome

Mitochondrial genome is a conserved, ancient part of the eukaryotic genome

Humans have a larger proportion of non-coding DNA in their genomes

The number of the protein coding genes is similar

C.elelgans can utilize oxygen for energy production

Complexity of an organism increases steeply with a number of protein-coding genes in its genome

In this diagram, describing high efficiency DNA repair pathway in naked mole rats, PARP1 is an enzyme  that

 

Is inhibited by a DNA damage

Phosphorylates its target proteins

 Directly repairs DNA strand breaks

Acts as a first responder to DNA damage

Performs poly-ADP-ribosylation of target DNA sequences

Acts as a first responder to DNA damage

Biological mechanisms that protect whales from the development and progression of cancer includes all of the following, except

 

Stimulation of apoptosis

Decreased number of transposable elements in the genome

Tumor suppressor genes duplication

Slow mutation rate

High level of the expression of genes involved in DNA maintenance and repair

Decreased number of transposable elements in the genome

This experimental picture showing expression patterns of different genes in Drosophila is called a

 

Hint map

Chromosomal map

 Hit map

Gene map

Heat map

Heat map

Physiological mechanism that allows whales to spend long periods of time underwater is 

delayed reproduction period 

duplication of tumor suppressor genes 

increased myoglobin 

increased hemoglobin 

increased content of transposable elements 

increased myoglobin 

Which statement is correct regarding tree shrew animal model? 

Aging tree shrews suffer form osteoporosis 

Purebred lines of tree shrews are commercially available 

Tree shrews have accelerated healing of bone  injuries because their growth plates do not close 

Tree shrews are more evolutionary distant from humans than mice and rats 

Antibodies against tree shrew proteins are widely commercially available 

Aging tree shrews suffer form osteoporosis 

Antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis of Alzheimer disease (Fox, Ageing Res Rev. 2018 ) states that

 

Survival of humas beyond 4^th decade of life allows “weeding out” detrimental AD alleles

Oligomers of Amyloid beta confers cognitive advantage in younger individuals

Genes of AD are not subject to natural selection

Genes that increase risk of AD later in life may be beneficial earlier in life

ApoE4 is a protective allele later in life across  many conditions

Genes that increase risk of AD later in life may be beneficial earlier in life

During the course of human evolution,

AD is considered part of normal aging

Our pre-modern predecessors likely had elderly individuals living in their groups

Observational studies of modern hunter-gatherers’ groups reveals that modal age of death is close to sexual maturity

Limited use of Western medicine causes AD to be more prevalent in modern hunter-gatherers groups

 In primitive societies, the majority of elders in their 70s have AD

Our pre-modern predecessors likely had elderly individuals living in their groups

 

According to this figure describing brain aging changes in males vs females,

Women with Parkinson’s disease demonstrate slower progression

Males have higher vulnerability to Alzheimer

Women are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease

Women demonstrate increased association between obesity and cognitive impairment

Women retain better verbal memory

Women retain better verbal memory

What is the most common cause of dementia in elderly?

Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease

Down syndrome

Hereditary Alzheimer’s disease

Vascular dementia

Parkinson’s disease

Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease

Which statement is correct?

Tau fibrils deposit within the neurons

Amylod plaques in the brain typically accumalate rapidly

Beta-amyloid is deposited within the neuron

Beta-amyloid plaques are soluble

Amyloid precursor protein is not present in healthy neurons

Tau fibrils deposit within the neurons

According to this diagram from the paper (Soghra Bagheri atal, 2024) 

ApoE2   prevents clearance of beta-amyloid

ApoE3 prevents clearance of beta-amyloid

ApoE4 prevents clearance of beta-amyloid

ApoE4 facilitates clearance of beta-amyloid

 Both ApoE2 and ApoE3 prevent clearance of beta-amyloid

ApoE4 prevents clearance of beta-amyloid

A large percentage of individuals with Down syndrome (trisomy 21) will develop Alzheimer disease primarily because

They have a mutated pathway of tau protein processing

They experience premature aging

They express an elevated amount of amyloid precursor protein

 They are more likely to carry ApoE4 genotype

They have defective DNA repair pathway

They express an elevated amount of amyloid precursor protein

Which of the following is true about the study of the effect of shingles vaccine on mild cognitive impairment and dementia? (Xie etal, 2025)

Limitation of the study was the use of live attenuated vaccine 

Herpes zoster vaccination decreases new diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment equally in men and women 

anitvirals, such as acyclovir, provide protection against mild cognitive impairment and dementia similar to that of the vaccine  

Herpes zoster is effectively eliminated from the neural tissue by the patient's immune suytmes

natural infection with chickenpox provides protection against mild cognitive impairment and dementia 

Limitation of the study was the use of live attenuated vaccine 

Which of the following is accurate regarding the study of NAD+ homeostasis in mice? (Chaubey etal, 2026)

NAD+ was administered directly into the brain of the experimental mice 

Neurons are especially sensitive to the decreased level of intercellular energy stores 

Reversal of amyloid plaques in mice was demonstrated on the paraffin sections of the whole brain 

NAD+ is readily absorbale and was administered orally to mice 

Administration of the experiential compound failed to restore cognitive improvement in the mice with amyloid-driven disease

Neurons are especially sensitive to the decreased level of intercellular energy stores

The role of microglia in a brain is

phagocytsis

facilitate conductance of electric impulses 

forming long-term memories 

blood supply and angiogenesis support 

facilitation of calcium uptake into the brain

phagocytsis