The Common Drive Theory
The Common Drive Theory The Common Drive Theory as applied to longevity suggests that a set of underlying biological and physiological mechanisms contribute to both aging and various age-related diseases. Instead of treating different age-related conditions—such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders—as independent, this theory proposes that they share common pathways or "drives" that accelerate the aging process. Key Principles of Common Drive Theory in Longevity: Shared Mechanisms of Aging and Disease: The theory suggests that factors like chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and genetic regulation play a central role in both aging and age-related diseases. Interconnected Biological Systems: It views longevity as a result of systemic interactions, rather than isolated processes. For instance, metabolic dysregulation (such as insulin resistance) can drive multiple aging-related conditions like diabetes and cardi...