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Immunity and Aging

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Book cover Drug Studies in the Elderly

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Abstract

The gradual decline in immune function observed with aging has been thought to contribute to the diseases of aging and even the aging process itself.1 It may be reasonable to relate the increasing incidence of infection or cancer to immune senescence. The precise contribution of changing immune competence to other diseases of aging such as Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, and diabetes must be considered speculative. However, extensive basic and clinical studies of immune function in experimental animals and humans of different ages clearly indicate that the immune system, like many other systems, changes with age. In this chapter we will provide an overview of these studies, particularly as they relate to clinical immune senescence. Methodological problems encountered in immunological studies and aging will be considered and summarized at the end of this chapter.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA

    William B. Ershler

  2. Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York, 10021, USA

    Marc E. Weksler

Authors
  1. William B. Ershler
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  2. Marc E. Weksler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geriatrics Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California-Los Angeles School of Medicine, 90048, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Neal R. Cutler M.D. (Director) (Director)

  2. Clinical Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratory Pharmacy Department Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 20892, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    Prem K. Narang Ph.D. (Supervisor) (Supervisor)

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© 1986 Plenum Publishing Corporation

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Ershler, W.B., Weksler, M.E. (1986). Immunity and Aging. In: Cutler, N.R., Narang, P.K. (eds) Drug Studies in the Elderly. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1253-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1253-6_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-1255-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-1253-6

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