Ben Button may only exist as fiction, but scientists have managed to reverse aging at its cellular level. Researchers at Salk Institute have managed to reset mature cells into stem cells by intermittently inducing Yamanaka factors for short cyclic periods and reinstating them back into stem cell storage.
The Story
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a tale about time. The central theme is about an older man born to appear young as they grow older; as his appearance changes over time through reverse aging he becomes the focus of attention in this tale.
Beginning in 1918, this story begins when a baby with the appearance of an elderly man is born. Unfortunately for him and his family, his mother died during labor, while his father became repulsed at his arthridic foetus and abandoned him on the steps of an old folks home, where Queenie took care of him as her own. Over time as his appearance gradually changes from old man to child-like, so too did Benjamin himself age and develop.
After the war is over, Benjamin returns to New Orleans where he meets Queenie and attempts to seduce him; when this fails she leaves. Later he visits terminally ill Thomas who reveals himself to be Benjamin’s father before bequeathing his button manufacturing company and estate to Benjamin before dying.
Brad Pitt gives an impressive performance as Benjamin, with Fincher’s direction being nothing less than outstanding. This movie is visually breathtaking with beautiful sets, costumes and makeup work; his use of visual effects (CGI?) is both subtle and effective; his portrayal of Benjamin through the years is masterful. Perhaps one thing could have made the film better: having more rigorous timelines. For instance if Benjamin reverse-aged after World War II had ended but Daisy continued dancing like she used to… this could only add another level to this compelling tale!
The Movie
Benjamin Button from the movie Age of Invention is famously born old but quickly reverses his aging process through stem cell transference; although this might sound impossible, scientists have actually accomplished something similar by switching full mature cells to stem cells to cause them to age more slowly.
Brad Pitt received critical acclaim for his performance and earned himself a Best Actor Oscar at the 81st Academy Awards, along with 13 nominations – such as Best Picture, Director David Fincher and Taraji P. Henson (Best Supporting Actress).
Progeria is an uncommon genetic condition which accelerates aging at an unusually rapid pace, often known as “Benjamin Button Disease” or “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Children affected by it suffer from numerous age-related issues including hair loss, dental decay and heart failure; most pass away before adulthood despite recent advancements in treatment that are increasing life expectancies.
At his birth, doctors predicted Benjamin would only live a short life. Yet each year saw his body growing younger and healthier; first as an adolescent, then child, then baby; eventually reaching 85 years of age but looking as youthful as an infant! He died without ever showing any sign of decline or decay.
In the movie, Benjamin is left by his biological father Thomas Button to grow up on the porch of a nursing home after birth, cared for by Queenie and Mr. Weathers until his caretaker Queenie and cook Mr. Weathers name him Benjamin. Growing up, he develops physical features of an elderly person while having the mind of a child; later meeting Daisy who was in her thirties when they met and falling deeply in love with each other.
The Treatment
Although the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button depicts a man who starts life as an old person before ageing backwards, no medical condition exists which fits this profile exactly; however, certain rare diseases do cause premature aging in some individuals. Progeroid syndromes are diagnosed through genetic testing. One such progeroid syndrome is Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), caused by mutations to LMNA gene that produces lamin A protein. This mutation leads to premature aging and various symptoms, including skin wrinkles and a small head in relation to body size, loss of hair and fat tissue loss and heart complications – often fatal ones in early childhood. HGPS patients typically die within months due to heart complications.
Even though there is no cure for aging, researchers are working tirelessly to increase our knowledge and create strategies that may delay or slow its effects. This may involve drugs to inhibit production of proteins associated with aging as well as researching ways to repair damaged cells and tissues by using stem cell technology or stem cell transplantation.
Scientists have recently demonstrated how it may be possible to restore aged cells back into their younger states by intermittently inducing Yamanaka factors into them. These factors help reprogram fibroblasts into pluripotent stem cells that can replace damaged, aged ones; mice with progeria, an incurable condition associated with premature aging, have also experienced this process successfully by intermittently inducing Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 genes in short cyclic periods; in this way scientists were able to reverse its hallmarks and restore youthful cells back.
The Symptoms
Progeria, also referred to as Benjamin Button disease, is an uncommon medical condition causing children to age rapidly compared to normal. This condition manifests itself with early-onset signs of old age such as wrinkles on skin and fat tissue loss as well as cardiovascular issues in young patients.
Benjamin Button, the protagonist in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, is born looking like a 70-year-old and grows older in reverse as time passes – his body gradually becoming younger until his eventual death at 85 chronological years old. While some individuals do actually age rapidly as they get older with skin changing to reflect the condition depicted by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, this condition does not apply in real life cases such as his.
Accelerated aging is typically caused by mutations to the LMNA gene, which encodes for a protein that acts as scaffolding around cell nuclei. When this gene mutation occurs, progerin builds up in cells and causes their degradation.
Progeria has no known cure; therefore treatment options focus on managing its symptoms and increasing quality of life. Zokinvy (lonafarnib), approved by the FDA in 2020 as the first drug designed specifically to address progeria, has shown promise in increasing lifespan among those living with this condition.
Though we may never fully grasp what it’s like to experience reverse aging, hearing stories about children with progeria reminds us to treat each one with compassion and dignity. By raising awareness and funding research we can work toward building brighter futures for those affected by this devastating condition.
The Cure
Though it is important to keep in mind that the story of Benjamin Button and his condition of congenital erythropoietic porphyria or progeria is fiction, its effect still resonates strongly with viewers who find fascination in its concept that aging could be reversed. There are even those striving to attain what has come to be known as the “Benjamin Button effect,” meaning an appearance younger and more attractive through noninvasive or minimally invasive procedures.
In the movie, Benjamin Button ages backwards; beginning adulthood and ending childhood. However, those living with progeria age forward but at an accelerated rate. There is one medication called Lonafarnib that has been proven to temporarily alleviate certain symptoms but cannot halt progression; researchers continue their search for treatments that target genetic mutations that cause progeria.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was an amazing movie directed by David Fincher adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story of the same name. Starring Brad Pitt as an old man aging backwards with Cate Blanchett playing his love interest for life throughout, the movie was beautifully cast and beautifully shot; truly one of my all-time favorite films!
This film was an enormous box office hit and garnered positive reviews from critics, earning nominations and winning many – including Best Picture at the Oscars – awards. I think that anyone given an opportunity should see this captivating tale of fantasy and romance; its captivating narrative should definitely not be missed!
