This article explores how predictions about future nanotechnological and neuropharmaceutical applications to medicine further anti-ageing discourse in the present. Products of both research areas enable physiological augmentation, with uses way beyond accepted traditional goals of medicine. But most “nanodreams” have not come to fruition, yet; as such, much popular scientific writing about nanotechnology is “thoroughly science-fictional” in how it imagines its future. Projections about these technologies contribute to devaluing the ageing experience and neglecting the need to address challenges of ageing in the present. To make these points, this article will read two speculative texts alongside one another: a piece of creative science fiction and a predictive popular science account. Ray Kurzweil’s How to Create a Mind propagates brain–computer interfaces, and Jeffrey Moore’s The Memory Artists deals with neuropharmaceuticals. Such parallel reading risks conflating different genres, narrative forms and contexts, obfuscating the purpose and possibilities of either genre. But it helps illustrate how ideas of an augmented human species have begun structuring social belief systems that shine through creative writing that joins in pitching, rather than effectively critiquing, these technologies as holding the fountain of youth.

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the evidence to date and several key considerations regarding addressing undernutrition in older adults with plant-based products. Undernutrition, resulting from inadequate protein and energy intake is common among older adults, and is associated with poor health and quality of life. Ensuring adequate protein and energy intake is a key component of strategies aiming to prevent and/or treat undernutrition. Increasing diversity of protein intake to include more sustainable plant-based sources is encouraged in the general population. However, to support healthy ageing, it is important to consider factors such as the impact of greater consumption of plant-based products on appetite and nutritional status, muscle protein synthesis and skeletal muscle mass. Although the literature in older adults is limited, the current evidence suggests no significant differences when comparing effects of plant to animal-based products/diets on a range of outcomes including appetite, nutritional status, longer-term muscle protein synthesis and muscle mass. Furthermore, there is evidence of improvements in nutritional status and muscle protein synthesis following plant protein supplementation compared to before supplementation or lower protein intakes. Therefore, greater intake of certain plant-based products could assist in enhancing sustainability of food systems and meeting nutritional requirements to prevent undernutrition. Among other factors, the plant protein source, the food matrix and presence of other nutrients need consideration. Further studies are needed in several areas, including investigating the effects of greater intake of plant-based products on the gut microbiome, and in the treatment of undernutrition.

Mussel cells from three age groups (i.e., 2–4, 5–6, and ≥ 10 years) were tested for lysosomal membrane stability (LMS – membrane permeability and proton pump function), autophagic rate, and intralysosomal reactive oxygen species (ROS). LMS was significantly reduced in haemocytes and digestive cells of the hepatopancreas (digestive gland) in the two older groups of mussels, while autophagy in haemocytes was reduced in the oldest age group. ROS generation was measured in digestive cells and was reduced in the oldest age group. Age-related decline in LMS and autophagy may be related to dysfunction of the PI3P-Akt-mTOR signalling pathway. Lysosomal autophagy can also be a source of ROS generation as the degradation product lipofuscin (age/stress pigment) accumulates in autolysosomes and residual bodies; and lipofuscin-associated iron can generate ROS. Previous investigation found age-related increased lipid peroxidation in digestive gland cells, whereas this study only assessed ROS generation in the lysosomal compartment of digestive cells and may reflect increased lysosomal and autophagic dysfunction. Principal component analysis, multidimensional scaling, and cluster analysis showed that the three age groups were significantly different from each other, with the oldest mussels showing the greatest degree of cellular dysfunction. The anti-oxidative protective role of autophagy and possible links to lysosomal and autophagic dysfunction in ovarian oocytes and fecundity reduction with age are discussed in the context of increased fragility in health of older animals (e.g., digestion, autophagic recycling and repair & innate immunity). Consequently, it is recommended that young mussels should be used in environmental biomonitoring with LMS.

This review aims to explore the potential role of folate and related B vitamins (B12, B6 and riboflavin) in maintaining cognitive health in ageing, focusing particularly on their interactions with the gut microbiota and inflammation. Low B-vitamin status, common in older adults, is associated with poorer cognitive function and dementia. Furthermore, people with dementia are observed to have increased abundance of pro-inflammatory microbes and concomitant higher concentrations of cytokines in their circulation. Therefore, gut dysbiosis and chronic inflammation have been proposed as contributors of cognitive dysfunction. Although many observational studies report that low B-vitamin status, especially vitamin B6, is associated with a worse inflammatory state, the role of the gut microbiota is much less investigated. Pre-clinical evidence suggests higher B-vitamin intakes may beneficially modulate the gut bacterial profile and its metabolic activity, positively influencing inflammation. The evidence, however, is inconsistent, and the few human intervention studies available are confined to clinical populations or are limited by small sample size or to a single B-vitamin at high supplementation doses. Of note, one study in rats with Alzheimer’s-type dementia reported an association of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency with disturbed gut bacterial composition, neuroinflammation and impaired memory. In conclusion, optimising B-vitamin status may help promote cognitive health during ageing through modulation of the gut microbiota and immune function. Well-designed human studies are, however, required to confirm these relationships and inform evidence-based nutritional strategies for healthy ageing.

This article conceives of the prevalence of death occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic in older people’s care homes in the United Kingdom (UK) through the lens of necrocapitalism. There is significant evidence that pre-pandemic marketisation policies have structured endemic neglect in the sector, but these generalised failures are frequently not highlighted in the debates around the causes of COVID-19 deaths. The article seeks to specify the way caring has been re-fashioned through a specific form of necrotic privatisation, resting on degrading the intensity of caring, institutionalised via market-orientated regulation. COVID-19 fatalities in older people’s services are necrocapitalist as pre-existing the pandemic the sector was defined by forms of slow violence, exacerbated during the crisis. The de-regulation and cost-saving at the heart of commodified care denigrate older people’s existence, reorienting the value of care in terms of its potential to generate profit.

Metabolic dysregulation increases the risk of cognitive and motor deficits, exacerbated by diets high in refined carbohydrates and fats. Polyphenol-rich berries, such as red raspberries (RRB; Rubus idaeus), may offer protective benefits. This randomised, single-blinded, controlled crossover study evaluated the acute metabolic and cognitive effects of RRB intake in older adults (55–70 years) with overweight/obesity. Thirty-six adults (61 (sd 5) years, BMI: 30·0 (sd 2·8) kg/m2; 19 females: 17 males) consumed a high-carbohydrate, moderate-fat meal (56 % carbohydrate, 33 % fat) containing 0 g (control) or 25 g of freeze-dried RRB powder. Plasma was collected at baseline and postprandially over 7·5 h to assess glucose, insulin, triacylglyceride (TAG) and IL-6. In vitro, fasting and postprandial serum samples were applied to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglial cells to assess neuroinflammatory responses (nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression). Cognitive and vascular function were assessed at baseline and postprandially. The RRB meal significantly reduced peak glucose (by 8 %), insulin concentrations at 0·5 h and overall insulin response compared with control (P < 0·05). Serum from RRB consumers attenuated LPS-induced NO, iNOS and COX-2 expression in microglial cells (P < 0·001). Cognitive performance improved following the RRB meal, with fewer attempts in the CANTAB (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery) Paired Associates Learning task (P < 0·05) and fewer errors with better strategy use in the Spatial Working Memory task (P < 0·05). No significant differences were observed in vascular function. These findings suggest that acute RRB supplementation attenuated postprandial metabolic stress, reduced markers of neuroinflammation and improved cognitive performance, supporting RRB’s potential role in a dietary strategy for ageing populations.

Anorexia of ageing – the age-related reduction in appetite and food intake – is a public health concern for an ageing global population. However, current understanding of the aetiology of the condition is limited. In this review, evidence of gut hormone responses to feeding in older adults is reviewed, and it is proposed that a dysregulation of this process is a mechanism driving low appetite in later life. The evidence is synthesised to critically present this case, spotlighting recent data demonstrating a highly anorexigenic gut hormone profile in older adults exhibiting low appetite, which is not observed in older adults exhibiting a “healthy” appetite. These findings and this theory are interrogated with an appreciation that appetite control is complex and multifactorial, not least in the context of anorexia of ageing; it is posited that changes in gut hormone secretions are a mechanism rather than the mechanism, but propose that this may explain certain presentations of anorexia of ageing. The current knowledge base is contextualised for practical implications and priorities for future research are highlighted.

Ensuring adequate food intake among older people is essential for maintaining health and preventing malnutrition. This review explores strategies to enhance dietary intake in this population group. Several key interventions are highlighted, including offering high-energy and protein-fortified meals and snacks, optimising the visual appeal and presentation of foods, enhancing flavours, and providing finger foods or modified textures to support consumption. Familiarity with fortified foods may encourage acceptance and increase intake, while improving food aesthetics and incorporating varied flavours can enhance enjoyment and promote consumption. Flavour enhancement may help compensate for decline in smell and taste sensitivity often experienced by older people, helping to sustain interest in food and promote greater intake. Finger foods present a practical solution for older adults with physical impairments, allowing for easier handling and self-feeding. Additionally, for individuals with dysphagia or chewing difficulties, texture-modified diets tailored to their needs support safe food intake. Research suggests that refining food presentation through techniques such as moulding and 3D printing may improve palatability and appeal, potentially boosting consumption among older adults. Addressing sensory preferences and physical challenges associated with eating is critical to ensuring adequate nutrition and promoting overall wellbeing in the elderly population. This review underscores the importance of multifaceted dietary strategies, advocating for personalised interventions that align with older individuals’ needs and preferences to enhance food intake and nutritional status.

Many scholars and policymakers see rising debt burdens in the industrialised world as the product of ageing populations. Prominent theoretical models of government debt accumulation – used to justify fiscal rules and austerity measures – explicitly assume that support for debt reduction decreases with age. While such models have been influential, the fundamental relationship between age and preferences for debt has not been tested empirically. We test this argument but further theorise that the relationship between age and debt preferences is non‐linear. While the elderly have a clear preference for ignoring debt burdens, we add that the young should also prefer to delay reckoning with high national debts given their low income and expectations of higher future earnings. Using survey data (N = 112,689), we find that age does have a small to modest non‐linear impact on concern for national deficits and debt burdens. Middle‐aged respondents are most concerned about debt reduction, while the young and old view reducing government debt as less of a policy priority. Notably, the relationship is strongest in countries with more generous old‐age benefits.

Understanding what older people learn from their civic participation is of critical importance both for individuals and organisations. This link has been neglected in prior research, and the evidence across diverse cultural contexts is particularly limited. However, the political context of older people’s life experiences and participation is important in their participation. The intent of the present study is to explore the learnings experienced by older people through participation in seniors’ interest organisations, across Australia and Spain. Participants included 52 active members of political organisations focused on issues for older people. A questionnaire was used for data collection; participants’ responses to an open-ended question regarding what they have learnt from their participation in seniors’ interest organisations are analysed here. Participants’ answers were subjected to a multi-stage thematic analysis. Findings show three key themes relating to learnings about themselves, such as self-improvement or skills or knowledge; learnings about others, such as cooperation with others and understand that people have different views; and learning about society, such as inequality and the need to fight for injustice. The findings suggest some interesting similarities and differences across contexts, which appears to reflect the different political contexts of the two countries.

Research on older people’s civic engagement has increased significantly in the last two decades, as have policy and practice initiatives aimed at promoting civic engagement among older adults. However, the growing interest of researchers and policy-makers in older people’s civic engagement has not been mirrored by a parallel effort to define what civic engagement means in later life. To contribute to ongoing debates regarding the definition of civic engagement, this paper aims to examine the extent to which the concept has been defined in the ageing literature (RQ1), the ways in which it has been defined (RQ2), and the activities that have typically been associated with the concept (RQ3). We conducted a scoping review and content analysis of gerontological definitions of the concept of civic engagement and related concepts, such as volunteering and political participation. Our study reveals the diversity of ways in which older people are engaged, with some forms of activity, such as volunteering, more commonly featuring than others, such as informally helping others. A typology of civic activities among older people arose from the analysis of definitions, which permits their hierarchical differentiation and ordering, and thus contributes to a more nuanced and complex understanding of what we mean by being civically engaged in later life.

Contemporary ageing policy often constructs demographic change as a challenge requiring urgent intervention. While ageing is not seen as a problem per se, in policy debate it is often presented as a crisis. Consequently, countries and institutions have sought to identify solutions to the represented problem. A common policy response in Western nations has been to focus on individual activity as a solution. The implications of such developments are, however, seldom explicitly discussed. This article focuses on Finland, a country often positioned as a Nordic welfare state. Using the post-structuralist approach ‘What’s the Problem Represented to Be’ (WPR), it examines problems of and solutions to changing demographics represented in Finnish policy, highlighting the implications for older adults and their care. From an analysis of 42 governmental policy and related documents (2002-2024), 11 documents (2008-2024) were selected for detailed examination concerning the health and social care of older adults. The analysis shows that the predominant responsibility for care of older adults is laid on older adults themselves, their family members and peers, while the responsibility of the state is largely silenced. The article highlights the wider analytical, policy and practice implications of neo-liberal ageing policy and discusses how older adults are governed through policy in the midst of the absent interaction between policy, conceptual debates and everyday life material realities through a three-level conceptual model. This absence is not merely a gap but a mode of governance that reflects broader neo-liberal shifts in welfare policy.

Against the calls for the development of ‘a more than human’ gerontology, this article challenges the assumptions behind this move by positing that its dependence on post-humanist epistemologies and ontologies risks making age a matter more of the imagination than of human mattering, of assemblage more than of meaning. The ‘decentring’ involved in such approaches of what is distinctly human about ageing has led to an imaginary ontology of flattened ‘assemblages’ of age. While these post-humanist developments might seem to offer an imaginative leap into a ‘more than human’ world, the radicalism implied can equally be understood as being largely rhetorical, designed to impress rather than inform our thinking. If the distinctly human experience of age and finitude is absented from our thinking, the mattering of ageing risks being reduced to no more than the universal flux of an impersonal vitalism. We would conclude that it is still critically important for gerontology to maintain its privileging of the human and more generally of humanism in thinking about and researching the tasks it sets itself.

There is limited scholarly research that broadly examines the representation of older adults and ageing through an ageism lens in print and online newspapers, including national, state and local publications. Drawing on ageism and stereotype theory, this research examines how older adults and ageing are represented in Australian newspapers. Data were collected over a 16-week period, during which 2,652 statements relating to older adults or ageing were extracted from 804 media publications. A summative content analysis approach was employed, involving the quantification of key concepts followed by an interpretive analysis to identify underlying themes and codes. The findings revealed that approximately 42.0 per cent of statements portrayed older adults and ageing negatively, while only 6.5 per cent were positive. Dominant ageist and stereotypical representations centred on themes of vulnerability, frailty, incapacity and injury or illness. As populations continue to age, it is critical that scholars persist in analysing and challenging dominant media narratives that shape how older people are framed. Furthermore, audience reception studies are needed to examine how such representations are interpreted by the public, thereby deepening understanding of the media’s role in shaping societal perceptions of older adults and ageing.

Telomere length is a biomarker of ageing, with shorter lengths associated with a higher risk of age-related diseases and mortality. Oxidative stress and inflammation predominantly contribute to telomere shortening. Diets rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help preserve telomere length. Nuts and seeds contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients and bioactive compounds. Their consumption is recognised as protective against age-related conditions. The objective of this review is to evaluate the role of nut and seed intake on telomere length in humans. A systematic search was conducted in four databases from inception to 12 March 2024 to identify observational and interventional studies assessing nut and seed intake and measuring telomere length as an outcome in adults (aged ≥ 18 years). Data from the included articles were extracted by one reviewer and verified by another reviewer. Out of the nine observational studies included, three reported positive associations between nut and seed intake and telomere length. None of the four interventional studies included reported a significant positive effect. Meta-analysis was not performed due to high variability in reporting telomere length measurements. The evidence is insufficient to confirm a beneficial role of nut and seed intake on telomere length. Adequately powered long-term intervention studies are needed.