Leading aging research

Our open access journals bring together multidisciplinary perspectives from biology, medicine, public health, social science, and beyond. By uncovering the key determinants of aging, our research fuels strategies for the prevention of functioning decline, equitable care, and lifelong well-being.

Research that drives impact

Aging does not happen in isolation. By connecting insights across fields, our articles reveal how aging unfolds and how we can act. From early-life interventions to late-life care, our research drives improved understanding, smarter practices, shapes policy, and strengthens health systems worldwide, helping people live longer, healthier lives.

Research spotlights

As a leading publisher in the field, these articles showcase research that has influenced academia, industry and/or policy.

Explore the latest research developments in your field

Our commitment to open science means others can build on PLOS’ aging research and data to advance the field  and improve wellbeing across the lifespan. Discover research below:

Multinucleated giant cells are hallmarks of ovarian aging with unique immune and degradation-associated molecular signatures

Ovarian multinucleated giant cells arise within the aging mammalian ovary. This work uncovers their role in degradation of cellular debris and immune signaling, suggesting they contribute to ovarian inflammation during aging.
PLOS Biology

Association between physical multimorbidity and common mental health disorders in rural and urban Malawian settings: Preliminary findings from Healthy Lives Malawi long-term conditions survey

Findings show how aging with multiple chronic conditions heightens mental health challenges in Malawi, underscoring the need for integrated care to support well-being throughout later life stages.
PLOS Global Public Health

Influence of surprise on reinforcement learning in younger and older adults

Surprising outcomes drive learning in both younger and older adults. The study shows how brains across ages adjust learning rates to unexpected events, refining models of adaptive decision-making.
PLOS Computational Biology

Multi-modal machine learning approach for early detection of neurodegenerative diseases leveraging brain MRI and wearable sensor data

Combining MRI, wearables and genetic risk scores boosts early prediction of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This multi-modal approach outperforms single-data models and moves precision neurology closer to practice.
PLOS Digital Health

NEMF mutations in mice illustrate how Importin-β specific nuclear transport defects recapitulate neurodegenerative disease hallmarks

Mouse models with NEMF mutations reveal how faulty nuclear import produces hallmarks of neurodegeneration. The study links upstream transport failures to downstream disease pathways.
PLOS Genetics

24,075 authors from 155 countries chose PLOS to publish their aging research*

Reaching a global audience, this research has received over 10,365 news and blog mentions^

Research in this field has been cited 4,759 times after authors published in a PLOS journal*

PLOS One