Good preclinical models of ageing are needed to discover the molecular mechanisms behind declining human physical performance (Nature 511, 405–407; 2014). The latest animal models of frailty are a step in the right direction.
For example, a genetically modified frail-mouse model mimics the inflammation and weakness that often afflicts older people (see A. Akki et al. Age 36, 21–30; 2014). Frailty can also be modelled in naturally ageing mice as a frailty-phenotype score, graded by such performance measures as grip strength and walking speed (H. Liu et al. J. Gerontol. A http://doi.org/t6p; 2013).
We and others have quantified a clinical frailty index in mice by tracking the accumulation of age-related deficits. This index increases with age in the same way as it does in humans (J. C. Whitehead et al. J. Gerontol. A 69, 621–632; 2014).
More-sophisticated animal models of frailty will need to include a broader range of performance measures if they are to properly represent the condition in people.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Howlett, S., Rockwood, K. Ageing: Develop models of frailty. Nature 512, 253 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/512253d
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/512253d
This article is cited by
-
Age, Sex and Overall Health, Measured As Frailty, Modify Myofilament Proteins in Hearts From Naturally Aging Mice
Scientific Reports (2020)
-
Comparing the prognostic value of geriatric health indicators: a population-based study
BMC Medicine (2019)
-
Fifteen years of progress in understanding frailty and health in aging
BMC Medicine (2018)
-
Frailty, nutrition-related parameters, and mortality across the adult age spectrum
BMC Medicine (2018)
-
A Frailty Index Based On Deficit Accumulation Quantifies Mortality Risk in Humans and in Mice
Scientific Reports (2017)