This video is a great talk from Dr. Matt Kaeberlein at RAADFest 2025, which took place a few weeks ago in Las Vegas.
The first part of Matt’s presentation is a great overview of the Dog Aging Project and why companion animals (dogs) are great organisms to study the biology of aging. There are many fascinating points, including an interesting discussion of meal frequency and dogs (spoiler – there is a meal timing that was associated with a much lower disease risk). It also includes an exploration of dementia risk in dogs and the many parallels with what happens in humans.
The second half of the video talks about diagnostics/imaging and basic tools to support health in humans, along with what he considers the pillars of health. Matt also shares about his personal epigenetic age experiment and the massive “grey area” in much of longevity science.
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Matt Kaeberlein discusses lessons from the Dog Aging Project and evidence-based strategies for human longevity.
Key Points from Dr. Matt Kaeberlein’s RAADFest 2025 Talk
1. The Dog Aging Project
- The Dog Aging Project is a large, ongoing study tracking over 50,000 companion dogs to understand the biology of aging and identify genetic and environmental factors that influence health outcomes in aging.
- Dogs are ideal models for aging research because they share human environments, have diverse genetics, and age faster than humans, allowing for quicker study of interventions.
- The project includes observational studies and rigorous, placebo-controlled clinical trials, such as the TRIAD trial testing rapamycin for lifespan and healthspan extension in dogs.
2. Surprising Discoveries
- Dogs fed once a day had lower risk of age-related diseases compared to those fed more frequently, though this is observational and not proof of causality.
- Cognitive decline in dogs increases with age, but unlike other aging metrics, it does not differ by body size—suggesting brain aging may be distinct from other aging processes.
- Exercise and sensory health are linked to lower dementia risk in dogs, paralleling findings in humans.
3. Clinical Trials and Rapamycin
- The TRIAD trial is a large, ongoing clinical trial testing whether weekly rapamycin can extend lifespan and healthspan in middle-aged, large-breed dogs.
- Early safety trials showed no significant adverse events and some improvements in heart function and quality of life.
4. The Future of Medicine: From 2.0 to 4.0
- Medicine 2.0 (current system) is reactive and unsustainable, with increasing chronic disease burden.
- Medicine 3.0 emphasizes proactive, personalized, and preventive care, but is currently mixed with unproven diagnostics and therapies.
- Medicine 4.0 should be scalable, affordable, scientifically rigorous, and ethically sound, leveraging AI and large datasets for personalized healthspan optimization.
5. What Actually Works for Healthspan
- Comprehensive blood work, imaging (like DEXA and ultrasound), oral health screening, and wearables (e.g., continuous glucose monitors) are valuable for assessing and improving healthspan.
- Lifestyle remains foundational: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and strong social connections are critical for longevity.
6. What Doesn’t Work (The Hype to Avoid)
- Direct-to-consumer microbiome and biological age tests are not currently useful or actionable for individuals.
- Many supplements and experimental therapies are in a “gray area”—some may help, but evidence is lacking for most, and claims often outpace science.
- Be skeptical of anyone making absolute claims about longevity interventions; the science is still evolving.
7. The Path Forward
- Aggregation of data from longevity clinics and companies by independent bodies is needed to determine what truly works.
- AI will soon enable personalized healthspan advice for individuals.
- Continued discovery science is essential to find new, effective interventions for aging.
Let me know if you want a more detailed summary of any section.
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