Sirtuin modulators and brain aging

Abstract

The sirtuins are proteins with enzymatic activity, which regulate diverse cellular processes including aging, longevity, inflammation, obesity, and stress resistance. There are seven sirtuins in mammals with varied subcellular localization and enzymatic activity. Of these, SIRT1 exhibits NAD-dependent deacetylase activity, and it has been the most studied isoform to target agingrelated neurodegenerative disorders and longevity due to caloric restriction. SIRT activation can exert positive effects in aging-related disorders such as metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases; while SIRT1 inhibitors have anticancer properties. Currently, a number of clinical trials are conveyed with modulators of SIRT. This chapter focuses on SIRT activators and their effects on brain aging.