Epigenetic Clock Metrics are quantitative measures derived from analyzing DNA methylation patterns at specific genomic locations, which collectively serve as highly accurate biological age predictors. These metrics, such as the Horvath or Hannum clocks, provide a more informative assessment of an individual’s true biological age compared to their chronological age. The discrepancy between these two ages, known as age acceleration or deceleration, is clinically significant as it correlates strongly with future morbidity, healthspan, and all-cause mortality risk. Tracking these metrics offers a powerful tool for monitoring the efficacy of longevity interventions.
Origin
This concept emerged from the field of epigenetics, the study of heritable phenotype changes that do not involve alterations in the DNA sequence, combined with the development of sophisticated bioinformatics and machine learning algorithms. Dr. Steve Horvath pioneered the first pan-tissue clock in 2013, solidifying the idea that DNA methylation acts as a molecular timer of aging. The term “metrics” emphasizes the quantifiable, data-driven nature of these biological age assessments. This technological advancement allows for personalized aging analysis.
Mechanism
The underlying mechanism involves age-related changes in the addition or removal of methyl groups to cytosine bases in DNA, primarily at CpG sites. Specific patterns of hyper- and hypo-methylation are highly correlated with chronological time across diverse tissues. The Epigenetic Clock algorithms are trained on massive datasets to identify a subset of these CpG sites whose methylation status reliably predicts age. By measuring the methylation percentage at these specific sites, the metric provides a robust estimate of the biological age of the sample.
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