Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme critical for cellular energy metabolism that declines with age. NAD+ precursors like NMN and NR are studied as longevity interventions.

Mechanistic target of rapamycin, a key nutrient-sensing pathway that regulates cell growth and aging. Inhibiting mTOR (e.g., with rapamycin) has shown lifespan extension in multiple organisms.

A class of drugs that selectively eliminate senescent (aged, dysfunctional) cells to reduce inflammation and improve tissue function.

What is Epigenetic clock?

A biomarker based on DNA methylation patterns that estimates biological age, often more predictive of health outcomes than chronological age.

The period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and disability associated with aging.

An immunosuppressant drug that inhibits the mTOR pathway. Research shows rapamycin may extend lifespan and improve age-related health outcomes in multiple species.

What is Biological age?

A measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your chronological age, assessed through biomarkers such as DNA methylation, telomere length, and blood panels.

What is Caloric restriction?

A dietary regimen that reduces calorie intake without malnutrition. Caloric restriction is one of the most studied interventions shown to extend lifespan across species.

Protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Telomere length is associated with aging and age-related diseases.

A state in which cells permanently stop dividing but resist death, accumulating with age and secreting inflammatory factors that damage surrounding tissue.

A second-generation epigenetic clock that predicts time to death and is considered one of the most accurate measures of biological aging.

What is Inflammaging?

Chronic, low-grade inflammation that increases with age and contributes to the development of age-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegeneration.

The large-scale study of proteins in biological systems. In longevity research, proteomics identifies blood protein signatures that predict biological age and disease risk.

What is Yamanaka factors?

A set of four transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) that can reprogram adult cells to a pluripotent state. Partial reprogramming with Yamanaka factors is being explored to reverse cellular aging.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a precursor to NAD+ that is widely studied as a supplement to boost cellular energy and combat age-related decline.

A gene-editing technology that allows precise modifications to DNA. In longevity research, CRISPR is used to study and potentially modify genes associated with aging.

CorTec receives FDA breakthrough device designation

The FDA has granted Breakthrough Device Designation to CorTec’s Brain Interchange system, a pioneering approach utilizing direct cortical electrical stimulation aimed at enhancing motor recovery in individuals with chronic stroke-related impairments. This designation is designed to streamline development and regulatory review processes by fostering more interactive engagement with the FDA. The Brain Interchange system is a fully implantable, wireless, bidirectional brain-computer interface (BCI) that integrates neural signal recording with adaptive stimulation in a closed-loop configuration. Currently, it is under evaluation in an FDA-approved IDE study at the University of Washington, marking a significant milestone as the first clinical investigation of a fully implantable wireless BCI for stroke rehabilitation in humans.

The significance of this development lies in its potential to address the substantial burden of stroke-related disabilities. With approximately 9 million ischemic strokes occurring globally each year and over 80% of stroke patients suffering from upper-limb impairments, the need for innovative therapeutic solutions is critical. CorTec’s preliminary results are promising; the first patient implanted in July 2025 demonstrated meaningful neurological improvement, including recovery of upper-limb motor function that had plateaued after conventional therapy. Additionally, the platform boasts over 500 days of continuous signal stability, which underscores its reliability for long-term applications.

The implications of this advancement extend to reshaping current research paradigms in stroke rehabilitation and potentially accelerating drug development timelines for neuroprosthetic technologies. As the Brain Interchange system progresses through clinical trials, it may serve as a template for future BCI innovations targeting other neurological conditions, such as epilepsy. This could catalyze a broader shift towards personalized and adaptive neurotherapeutics, enhancing recovery outcomes for patients with chronic neurological impairments.

Source: longevity.technology