Progeria Studies Shed Light On Rare Premature Aging Disorder

New research could offer help to kids with a rare condition that causes them to age at 10 times the normal rate.

Signs of progeria -- which include hair loss, a disproportionally large head, visible veins, stiff joints and hip dislocation -- usually begin to show right around a child's first birthday. The condition, known formally as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, is caused by an excess of the protein progerin, a protein that we all have that (in lower amounts) that destroys cells to bring about the aging process.

But a new study in the journal Science Translational Research in people with progeria shows that this protein has an on-and-off switch, giving scientists insight into how people, even without the syndrome, age, CBS News reports.

There is currently no established cure for progeria, but the research shows that an immune-suppressing drug called rapamycin could be promising in clearing progerin from cells, thereby stopping the aging process, Science reported.

WATCH:

Comments

[rheaseo25]

09:59 PM on 07/05/2011

This suggests the possibility of an effective anti-aging treatment for humans at an already-advanced age, as opposed to requiring a lifelong regimen beginning in youth. Because it strongly suppresses the immune system, though, people taking rapamycin are more susceptible to dangerous infections. (http://www.aihr.com.au/)

[Dan Kushner]

12:30 AM on 07/03/2011

OK There's an awesome sci-fi movie script in here somewhere.

[gravityhunter]

11:50 PM on 07/02/2011

does this mean we could manipulate this protein to extend our lives?

[Red45]

01:27 AM on 07/03/2011

"...the research shows that an immune-suppressing drug called rapamycin could be promising in clearing progerin from cells, thereby stopping the aging process," I hope they're right! I'll be first in line.

[academy1]

09:52 PM on 07/02/2011

I hope it works and is easily available to those in need. You can see the sweetness and sadness in their eyes. heartbreaking really.

[GCurry]

09:45 PM on 07/02/2011

There are some organisms, mostly low order, which might even live forever.

But a world in which organisms lived forever, and reproduced, would quickly become fouled by overpopulation. Sexual reproduction is a great advantage for species adaptation to environmental changes, so I could see how Nature/evolution would keep that. So I have to conclude that mortality is evolution's invention to preserve Nature's balance.

This research supports that. Progerin is a protein which destroys cells, too much of which causes progeria. But why is it there at all?

[AllenPapapetrou]

09:04 PM on 07/02/2011

Oh Great!!! 300 more years of Dick Cheney?!??

[priscianusjr]

11:00 PM on 07/02/2011

Yeah,and people like Cheney are the only ones that could afford it.

[Johnmgq]

11:15 PM on 07/03/2011

Could be worse 300 x more Obama spending and unemployment.

[ncyim]

08:57 AM on 07/08/2011

You poor thing! Your understanding of the economy and the time it takes for policy decisions to come to fruition in the general sector is so lacking that you can't intelligently participate in a complex democracy as a normal citizen. This stunted perception that you display is either the result of a decrepit public school system, or you are a planted identity designed for the purpose of disseminating corporate propaganda. So please, you must seriously educate yourself, or go to hell, respectively.

[bigmovieman]

09:00 PM on 07/02/2011

Well if this really means we might be able to live longer then I strongly suggest we have some strict regulations on reproduction because we are overpopulated as we speak. A world where people only get born and don't die would not be fun after a while...

[WhereIsTheTruth]

10:30 PM on 07/02/2011

Don't worry, bigmovieman, it'll be OK. See, only the rich people would be able to afford it and they are outnumbered by the poor people. All those poor people will keep dying, thus reducing the population and the strain on the earth to support human life!

[bigmovieman]

10:42 PM on 07/02/2011

yes, but perhaps further down the line it will be easier and easier to get until you have people buying and selling it in back alleys. It could become a new drug. Mind you it would far into the future...

[CuteNCuddly]

11:24 PM on 07/02/2011

So you wouldn't take it if it were offered to you?

[bigmovieman]

12:26 AM on 07/03/2011

If we keep favouring the individual over our collective species we will surly doom ourselves and/or our planet. I am prepared to make that sacrifice. Unfortunately, I doubt most would do the same...

[EveAngelReturns]

08:58 PM on 07/02/2011

nazis

[Trittydi]

08:52 PM on 07/02/2011

AWESOME!! Run with this one!
*

[blueshifter]

08:49 PM on 07/02/2011

Gaaah! Kill it with fire!!!

[TheIndependentView]

11:22 PM on 07/02/2011

...you sir, are one magnificent b@st@rd.

[pa30]

08:47 PM on 07/02/2011

Where can I get some Rapamycin?It would be interesting to see what it does to clonned animals ( eg Dolly).

[Marionette]

09:54 PM on 07/02/2011

and cloned ones too ;)

[Rangergirl]

08:44 PM on 07/02/2011

Wow that would be terrific for these kids. I sure hope this is successful

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

08:50 PM on 07/02/2011

I pray they find a cure for these children. Let's pray that the corporations don't charge so that people won't be able to afford it. It's just like corporations to do something like that. They got to make that blood money off of someone.

[yannb]

08:36 PM on 07/02/2011

If curing this disease means eliminating aging for all, I guess it would be better to........

[Tia2008]

08:17 PM on 07/02/2011

Wow, this is great news! I do not know anyone with this disease but, I have seen several specials about this disease on Discovery Health. All diseases are awlful but, those involving children are especially sad.

[KJ-CHICAGO]

07:40 PM on 07/02/2011

This is wonderful news! Thank God for the National Institute of Health in Maryland and people like Dr. Francis Collins, who has been determined to try finding a treatment for this syndrome. I saw the interview Barbara Walters did with the parents and children who have this disease. It was terrific, once you 'meet' these kids you fall in love with their enthusiasm for life and see past the disease to what particular problems they have to deal with. The families and children don't want your sympathy, they want you to get to know them and hopefully see they are like the rest of us with hopes and dreams and battles with unique problems. The girls were most troubled by their loss of hair, you want to help. I myself have participated in a study at NIH that is, through human genome reasearch, doing the first study of a rare disease that at present has no treatment. The drug companies have no interest in research to develop treatments for rare diseases, (no profit.) I hope the kids are soon allowed to participate in human trials of this potential breakthrough. The girls I 'met' on television were people I wished were my friends, they are so contagiously enthusiastic like all kids, and bear special burdens with courage and confidence. Congratulations to all involved! Thanks to NIH and their very special Doctors!