Klotho: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Aging and Neurodegeneration
One of the most robustly longevity-associated genes discovered in recent decades, Klotho has shown to slow aging in mice and improve late life health in humans. It also appears to slow cognitive aging and boost cognitive function in animals. While primarily active in the kidneys, interactions in the brain are also being discovered. This lack of knowledge hasn’t stopped the development of therapies based on delivery of optimized α-klotho variants, led by Unity Biotechnology. Klotho-based therapies have the potential to be a game changer in the field of aging and neurodegeneration. Research suggests that Klotho deficiency is not only a risk factor, but also a modifiable therapeutic target for addressing age-related conditions. The promising future of Klotho-based therapies warrants further large-scale human studies.