Stress and Aging: Implications for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Stress and Aging: Implications for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
April 28, 2026
Prof. Debbie Toiber of BGU’s Department of Life Sciences and Laboratory Director (Photo Credit: Hertzel Yosef)
Ynet News—Prof. Debbie Toiber of the Department of Life Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is leading research focused on one of the most fundamental questions in science: why we age and how that process leads to disease. Her work centers on how damage accumulates in our DNA—the body’s “instruction manual”—over time, weakening cells and disrupting their function.
As she explains, “We’re trying to understand why we age, to prevent age-related diseases.” Rather than extending lifespan alone, the goal is to improve quality of life and reduce the burden of chronic illness.
A key focus of this research is neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, which are closely tied to aging. As she notes, “I focus on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Only about 5% of Alzheimer’s cases are genetic; the other 95%, risk rises with age and reaches about one in three among people 80 and older.”
Prof. Toiber’s work seeks to uncover critical “decision points” in cells—moments when they shift toward either healthy aging or disease—offering a path toward earlier intervention. To study these processes, the research uses advanced models, including human-derived cells and accelerated aging in animals, to better understand how DNA repair systems weaken over time. When cells can no longer effectively repair damage, they may either die or become dysfunctional, contributing to neurodegenerative and other age-related diseases.
The research also highlights the role of lifestyle factors—such as diet, physical activity, and stress—in influencing how quickly damage accumulates and how the brain ages. As Prof. Toiber explains, “Right now, we’re working with human models and collaborating with Assuta Medical Center to identify Alzheimer’s progression pathways. Once we complete the pilot stage, we’ll consider the next step.”
Ultimately, this work represents a shift in how we approach aging—not simply treating disease, but preventing it at its source. As Prof. Toiber emphasizes, “I’m less interested in living to 150. I want to live healthily, without painful chronic diseases.”
By focusing on early detection, cellular health, and personalized approaches, this research offers new hope in reducing the impact of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other age-related diseases while helping people live longer, healthier lives.
Read Prof. Toiber’s full interview on Ynet News
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