The epigenetic age refers to changes in the DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks that appear over time and play a role in how fast or slow the aging process progresses. In contrast to chronological age, which simply indicates the number of years since a person was born, and the biological age, which describes the state of the body and cells, gives the epigenetic age Insight into the actual cellular aging processes. In this article, we show you how to measure epigenetic age, what differences there are and what a German-American Nobel Prize winner has to do with it.
How is it different from biological vs. chronological age?
While chronological age represents a linear progression of time (imagine the candles on a cake as an analogy) and biological age takes into account the state of the body, Epigenetic age provides a molecular perspective on agingEpigenetic changes can respond to environmental and lifestyle factors and thus reflect individual variance in the aging process, regardless of chronological time. Epigenetics is a highly complex and exciting field of research.
How can epigenetic age be measured?
The measurement of epigenetic age is based on the analysis of DNA methylation patterns. One of the best known tests is the Horvath methylation test, which uses a set of methylation standards to predict epigenetic age with high accuracy. A Study from 2018, showed that epigenetic age correlated better with mortality than chronological age and biological age.
Who was Steve Horvath and what does he have to do with epigenetic age?
Steve horvath is a renowned bioinformatician and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has made significant contributions to the development of methods for determining epigenetic age. His research has helped make the Horvath methylation test an important tool in age research. He even received the Nobel Prize.
In addition, research by Juan Carlos Lopez Ortin and other scientists who Hallmarks of Aging to consider the role of epigenetic regulation in aging. The work of Ortin and colleagues highlights the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in modulating aging processes and provides important insights into the molecular basis of aging.
Hallmarks of Aging and Epigenetic Age
The Hallmarks of Aging are the molecular basis for a better understanding of what happens to our bodies as we age. If we manage to reverse these hallmarks, we could stop aging itself - at least that is the hope of the researchers. Epigenetic changes are one of these hallmarks.
Conclusion
Epigenetic age is therefore not only an interesting concept, but a useful tool for studying and measuring the aging process at the cellular level. It provides insights into the dynamics of ageing and its diversity between individuals, which may have important implications for the development of interventions to prolong life span and to improve health in old age.
Sources
Books
- SWu JW, Yaqub A, Ma Y, Koudstaal W, Hofman A, Ikram MA, Ghanbari M, Goudsmit J. Biological age in healthy elderly predicts aging-related diseases including dementia. Sci Rep. 2021 Aug 5;11(1):15929. Link
- Horvath, S., & Raj, K. (2018). DNA methylation-based biomarkers and the epigenetic clock theory of ageing. Nature reviews. Genetics, 19(6), 371–384. Link
- López-Otín, Carlos et al. “Hallmarks of aging: An expanding universe.” Cell vol. 186,2 (2023): 243-278. Link
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