Captain James T. Kirk and Commander Montgomery Scott were subjected to hyperaging on Taunus in 2268.
Hyperaging is a medical condition that strongly resembles rapid aging.
History and specifics[]
Radiation exposure[]
One cause of hyperaging is exposure to hyperaging radiation, which mutates the somatic cells, causes their functions to be reduced, damages chromosomes, and prompts DNA to form polypoid lesions. Hyronalin prevents buildup and halts the mutations, while adrenaline spurs chromosome healing. The phenomenon was first observed on Gamma Hydra IV after a rogue comet passed through its atmosphere. (TOS reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual)
In 2267, the settlers in Johnson City on Gamma Hydra IV were irradiated, with all of them succumbing to hyperaging. Members of a landing party from the USS Enterprise were also exposed and became afflicted. Leonard McCoy and Janet Wallace used a form of adrenaline to cure them. (TOS episode & Star Trek 7 novelization: The Deadly Years)
The specific chemical used to treat the landing party was AMP, a.k.a. cyclic adenosine 3-5 monophosphate, a compound known to have the side effects of causing cardiac arrest and cerebral hemorrhage. (TOS - Star Trek 7 novelization: The Deadly Years)
Wallace and McCoy published a paper on their antidote, Adrenaline-Based Antidote For Hyper-Aging Radiation. (TOS reference: Star Trek II Biographies)
In 2268, the crew of a surveyor crashed on Taunus and hyperaged to skeletons. During the brief time that a shuttle was dispatched to track their SOS distress signal and locate the wreckage, the search party seemingly aged 40 or 50 years. When afflicted personnel were beamed up, the transporter restored them to their original ages. (TOS comic: "The Aging World")
Succubus[]
In 2269, Taurean women drained life energy from James T. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Carver, resulting in hyperaging. The transporter was used to restore them. (TAS episode & Log Two novelization: The Lorelei Signal)
Microbial causes[]
31 million years ago, hyperaging caused by exposure to a microbe led to the extinction of a species. The last survivor, an ancient entity, continued to seek a cure.
In 2270, personnel aboard the USS Enterprise contracted hyperaging, and McCoy estimated they had only two hours to live, and promptly synthesized an antidote, a powerful mutagenic compound which at the wrong dosage could mutate a human into an ogre. The ancient entity detected the Enterprise crew suffering from the disease. (TOS - Which Way Books novel: Phaser Fight)
In 2365, genetic engineering at the Darwin Genetic Research Station produced children with advanced immune systems and super-strong antibodies. The antibodies were so strong that they triggered hyperaging in anyone exposed, and this killed the crew of the USS Lantree. Station personnel were also afflicted, but the transporter was used to restore them to normal. Following this incident, the children were forced to live in quarantine. (TLE novel: The Buried Age, TNG episode: "Unnatural Selection")
Appendices[]
Appearances and references[]
Appearances[]
- TOS episode & Star Trek 7 novelization: The Deadly Years
- TOS comic: "The Aging World"
- TAS episode & Log Two novelization: The Lorelei Signal
- TOS - Which Way Books novel: Phaser Fight
- TNG episode: "Unnatural Selection"