Ageing, even in healthy aged individuals, is characterised by a progressive decline in physiological functions that contribute to increased mortality. Researchers at the Centre for Neuroendocrinology are interested in understanding how neuroendocrine signalling pathways and reproduction can influence ageing processes.
Neuroendocrine control of ageing
A majority of the physiological functions that decline with age are regulated by the hypothalamus. Hormones secreted in the periphery may act on the hypothalamus to influence the hypothalamic drive of systemic ageing. Our researchers try to understand how these hormones could be targeted to slow or even reverse age-related conditions and extend lifespan.
Some of the questions we're examining around neuroendocrine control of ageing include:
How do incretin hormones (GIP, GLP-1) act in the brain to influence health span?
A link between reproduction and ageing
We are interested in how reproduction influences life-history, health and ageing. This includes physiological effects of gonadal-derived hormones, consequences of mating, and even impacts of social pheromone perception on life-history trajectory.
Some of the questions we're examining around how reproduction influences ageing include: