Many thanks to all those who entered the Mendeley Brainstorm related to Ageing Societies; picking a winner is never easy, in this instance, we have selected Beau Hilton’s response:

Two modifiable and interrelated aspects of aging are muscle and strength loss (sarcopenia and dynapenia). These are deleterious in obvious ways such as difficulty performing activities of daily living, as well as in indirect ways, e.g. reduction of glucose disposal into muscle may contribute to hyperglycemia, diabetes, and perhaps Alzheimer’s disease, sometimes called “type 3 diabetes.” Interventions are generally low-cost and include the conventional, such as protein (especially leucine) intake and resistance exercise, as well as innovations including blood flow restriction training, which was developed in Japan to help people maintain or increase muscle mass when unable to lift heavy weights or even move at all. Additionally, prudent use of and research on anabolic agents in both males and females is beginning to see a renaissance. What does it mean for society if the typical 75-year-old in 20xx has the physical agility of the typical 55-year-old in 2017?

We asked Beau about his background. He responded:

I am a 2nd year medical student at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. It’s a 5 year program with a research emphasis and, since it’s housed in the Clinic itself, a great deal of time with patients. My main interest is prevention and wellness, with a focus on attacking the functional deficits that most characterize old age using rational combinations of lifestyle and pharmacological means.

Those who didn’t win this time are encouraged to respond to the latest Mendeley Brainstorm, regarding Science and Politics. Thanks again to all our participants.