Senescence Performance Deficit is a clinical descriptor for the quantifiable decline in functional capacity and physiological resilience that occurs as cells and tissues accumulate senescent markers with advancing chronological age. This deficit is characterized by reduced cellular energy production, impaired tissue repair mechanisms, and a chronic pro-inflammatory state, collectively known as “inflammaging.” It represents the measurable gap between an individual’s current functional status and their youthful potential.
Origin
The term combines “Senescence,” the biological process of cellular aging and irreversible growth arrest, with “Performance Deficit,” indicating a quantifiable loss of function. This concept is central to geroscience, the study of the biological mechanisms of aging. Its clinical application arose from the understanding that cellular senescence is a major driver of age-related disease and hormonal decline, making it a primary target for longevity interventions.
Mechanism
The deficit is driven by the accumulation of senescent cells, which resist apoptosis and secrete a potent mix of pro-inflammatory cytokines, proteases, and growth factors, collectively termed the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP). This SASP disrupts the local tissue microenvironment, impairs stem cell function, and contributes to endocrine resistance. The mechanism of therapeutic intervention is often senolytic, aimed at selectively clearing these dysfunctional cells to restore tissue function and reduce systemic inflammation.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.