Summary: Over the years, researchers have developed a way of predicting mortality reliably using DNA methylation tests from the blood. Now, researchers are improving this epigenetic clock that helps predict mortality. CheekAge, the second version of this epigenetic clock, is more accessible and better at predicting mortality.
There are few things that humans have long sought to understand or predict, and one such thing is the mortality risk, or understanding how long a person would live if not met with an accident or some untoward incident. Predicting mortality accurately may also help enhance the human lifespan.
It is no secret that no two people age similarly. Some individuals seem to age pretty fast, while others slowly. That is why health experts, including chronic pain specialists, are increasingly talking about things like metabolic age, which differs from chronological age.
Science also knows a bit about some of the factors that contribute to faster aging, like stress, metabolic disorders, inflammation, smoking, alcohol, environmental toxins, and more.
Of course, some might say that how fast or long one ages also depends on genetics. Of course, that is partially true. However, researchers now know that lifestyle changes can modify even genes (more precisely, gene expression). The study of these changes in gene expression that occur due to lifestyle changes is known as epigenetics. Not only can lifestyle choices and environment change gene expression, thus influencing the lifespan of humans, but these changes can also not be measured.
We cannot change genes but make the right lifestyle choices, which can cause positive epigenetic changes. Measuring epigenetic changes further helps science understand various things, including how long a person may live. Understanding that lifestyle choices are more important for most people than genetics is vital. This means that epigenetic markers can be reliable markers of mortality.
Over the years, researchers have identified epigenetic markers that help predict a person’s age and mortality, and they call it the “epigenetic clock.” To create an epigenetic clock, researchers tested DNA methylation in blood cells. They tested tens of thousands of sites on DNA for methylation and then compared it with the chronological age of the people to develop a clock that predicts mortality.
In their latest efforts, they are trying to improve this epigenetic clock, which means they are developing a second-generation clock. Further, they are also looking for ways of simplifying epigenetic testing to predict mortality. Of course, this clock is used to predict mortality and the risk of various health disorders. Such findings could eventually aid interventional pain management in St. Louis experts, who often seek to understand the broader health outlook of patients when managing chronic conditions.
In the new study, researchers developed a clock called CheekAge, as they used swab from the buccal cavity (inside of the cheek) to test for DNA methylation or aging.
For this research, investigators have been following those born in 1921 and 1936, using the Lothian Birth Cohorts (LBC) program of the University of Edinburgh. This sample included 1513 adults. Experts have been testing 450,000 DNA methylation sites regularly. They have started using this CheekAge clock and found it reliable or even better than their previous epigenetic clock.
Researchers have trained their computer model to predict mortality risk more precisely. They have now significantly improved on previous models. Every next model would be even better and provide greater health information.
This is an example of what is waiting for everyone in the coming years. Just imagine that a cheek swab test could help predict a person’s age (metabolic age) and mortality risk in coming years. This is no longer a science fiction.
Now, researchers plan to enhance their model further. They want to focus on predicting the risk of various age-related diseases. This would help science increase a healthy lifespan.
Source:
Shokhirev, M. N., Kramer, D. J., Corley, J., Cox, S. R., Cuellar, T. L., & Johnson, A. A. (2024). CheekAge, a next-generation epigenetic buccal clock, is predictive of mortality in human blood. Frontiers in Aging, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2024.1460360