A Toxic Aging Coin Perspective to Investigate the Intersection of Toxicology and Aging

This Research Topic will feature impactful research that describes interactions of aging and toxicology within the context of a “toxic aging coin” perspective; on the heads side we consider age differences in toxic responses, while on the tails side we consider how chemicals accelerate aging. Understanding these interactions will be imperative in the near future, as 20% of the American population will reach a geriatric age by 2030 and 12% of the global population will be geriatric (age 65 years or older) by 2050. While much of the toxicology research from the last 50+ years has focused on adult and children’s health, there are currently limited considerations for geriatric populations despite people living as geriatrics for 30+ years. With the augmenting geriatric population imminent, there will be a greater need for understanding how this part of the population will be distinctly vulnerable to environmental toxicants. Compounding this issue, environmental pollution is rampant and a new class of chemicals was recently described to accelerate biological aging – gerontogens. First described in 1987 by Dr. George Martin, we still have little recognition for gerontogens as a class of chemicals and limited understanding of how they mechanistically accelerate aging in tissues and cells. By taking this “toxic aging coin” approach, we can begin to answer these questions and better protect the health of our environment and public health for people at all life stages.

This “toxic aging coin” perspective considers the intersection of toxicology and aging to better understand how age dictates toxic effects and how chemicals may accelerate biological aging. Outcomes of this research will better protect geriatric populations from environmental pollutants and contribute mechanistic details that may help reduce global burden of aging diseases and comorbidities associated with environmental pollutants.

We are seeking manuscript submissions that fit within this “toxic aging coin” perspective, considering either or both sides of the coin. We are particularly seeking manuscripts for original research, systematic reviews, medical case reports, and methods in aging research. We will consider other manuscripts formats for publication, but authors should reach out prior to manuscript submission. Manuscripts may consider either the heads side or tails side independently, or both sides together. Articles focusing on the heads side are preferred to consider multiple life stages (e.g. young vs. middle-aged vs. geriatric), and not be limited to one or two life stages. Manuscripts focused on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis will not be considered as a part of this toxic aging coin, as it is a distinct hypothesis. We hope a broader global perspective will improve environmental regulations for geriatric populations and improve our mechanistic understanding for how chemicals may act as gerontogens.