What this means
This paper summarizes past studies on aging signs in naked mole-rats, which live unusually long lives. It does not show which signs cause their long life.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the abstract. The original is below.
- Who it was tested in
- Naked mole-rats, a summary of earlier animal studies
- Kind of research
- A summary of earlier studies
The science
- Original title
- Unlocking the secrets of naked mole-rat longevity.
- Authors
- Zhang YX, Chen Y, Mao ZY
- Journal
- Zoological research
- Published
- Oct 13, 2026
- Study type
- Review · indexed as animal research
- PMID
- 42864599 ↗
Abstract
Renowned for extreme longevity and extraordinary cancer resistance, the naked mole-rat ( Heterocephalus glaber) serves as a powerful biological model to uncover novel healthy aging mechanisms. Fourteen hallmarks have been proposed to describe the core features of biological aging; however, whether their direct enhancement contributes to longevity remains unclear. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the differential regulation of these aging hallmarks in the naked mole-rat and their potential roles in its exceptional lifespan. We also discuss current research limitations and suggest future directions to better elucidate the basis of naked mole-rat longevity, ultimately enabling the development of strategies to promote healthy aging in humans.
Zhang YX, Chen Y, Mao ZY Unlocking the secrets of naked mole-rat longevity. Zoological research. 2026. doi:10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2026.175. PMID: 42864599. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42864599/