This book provides a comprehensive overview of the field of developmental programming of ageing phenotypes. Although gerontological research has traditionally focused on later stages of the life cycle, growing evidence indicates that both the rate of ageing-associated functional declines, and the risks of later-life chronic pathological conditions, can be traced to origins early in life.

While other books in the field concentrate on the developmental origin of particular disorders, this volume offers a detailed guide to all important aspects of the role of early-life conditions in programming both chronic pathological conditions and the ageing process.

Interest in the study of ageing and longevity had its beginnings in research on the fetal origins of adult disease. This has evolved into a hypothesis on the Developmental Origins of Adult Health and Disease (DOHaD), which postulates that adverse environmental exposures during critical in-utero and early postnatal stages of development may permanently change physiological responses and cause functional impairments and disorders in adult life.

In this book, the contributing authors and leading experts from around the world, describe research on mechanisms underlying the developmental programming phenomenon, as well as interventional strategies aimed at restoring developmentally disrupted epigenetic patterns.

Early Life Origins of Ageing and Longevity benefits a wide audience of working scientists, clinicians, and advanced students, and will also interest scientifically curious general readers who wish to know more about current research in this rapidly evolving field.

SECTION I  OVERVIEW

Introductory chapter
SECTION II EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF DOHAD
Early Life Programming of Aging in Genetically Long-Lived Mice
Immunological Basis of In Utero Programming of Adult Disease
Developmental Programming of the GH/IGF Axis and Long Term Health
Programming of Stress Responses
Early-life Nutritional Programming of Adult Health Status
Effects of In-Utero Conditions on Adult Feeding Preferences
IUGR-Related Programming of Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes
Early-life Programming of Osteoporosis
Developmental Epigenetic Programming of Skeletal Muscle Aging
Effect of fetal and child health on kidney development and long-term risk of hypertension and kidney disease.
Developmental Programming of Neuroimmune Function
Epigenetics and neurodegeneration: role of early-life nutrition
SECTION III  EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
Prenatal Undernutrition and Ageing and Longevity
Influence of Maternal Obesity on the Long-Term Healthof Offspring
Early Life Predictors of Women's Health and Ageing
Early-Life Predictors of Exceptional Longevity
Prenatal Undernutrition and Effects on Physical and Mental Health
 Ancestral and early origins of adult mortality - a multigenerational approach
SECTION IV  PERSPECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS
Social Policy and Public Health Perspectives of DOHaD: Implications for Policy Advocacy, Cross-Sectorial Collaboration and Health Promotion
Index.