Aging as a Loss of Goal-Directedness: An Evolutionary Simulation

Abstract

Aging is an extensive biological process characterized by morphological and functional alterations in cellular and extracellular components, resulting in a systematic decline in biological functions ultimately leading to death. Although substantial advancements have been made in manipulating lifespan in model organisms like C. elegans and mice through genetic, dietary, and pharmacological means, the fundamental mechanisms driving aging in humans remain elusive and widely debated. In addition, there is no comprehensive computational platform capable of making predictions on aging in multicellular systems and integrating the multiscale competency of lifeforms. We propose an evolutionary hypothesis: aging arises because evolution has prioritized development, only to a limited extent incorporating a regenerative program beyond adulthood. Using a cybernetic tissue model and information dynamics analysis, we find: (1) Absence of Long-Term Morphostasis: Aging emerges naturally after development due to the lack of an evolved regenerative goal, rather than just specific detrimental properties of developmental programs (e.g., antagonistic pleiotropy or hyperfunction); (2) Acceleration Factors vs. Root Cause: Cellular noise, reduced competency, communication failures, and genetic damage all accelerate aging but are not its primary cause; (3) Information Dynamics in Aging: Aging correlates with increased active information storage and transfer entropy, while spatial entropy measures distinguish two dynamics—loss of structure and morphological noise accumulation; (4) Dormant Regenerative Potential: Despite organ loss, spatial information persists in the cybernetic tissue, indicating a memory of lost structures, which can be reactivated for organ restoration through targeted regenerative information; and (5) Optimized Regeneration Strategies: Restoration is most efficient when regenerative information includes differential patterns of affected cells and their neighboring tissue, highlighting strategies for rejuvenation. These findings provide a novel perspective on aging dynamics with significant implications for longevity research and regenerative medicine.