GrimAge is a sophisticated, second-generation epigenetic clock that estimates an individual’s biological age and predicts time-to-mortality with high accuracy, surpassing earlier chronological age proxies. This biomarker utilizes DNA methylation data from specific CpG sites to create a composite score that strongly correlates with morbidity and healthspan. Clinically, it serves as a powerful, quantitative tool for assessing the cumulative impact of lifestyle and environmental exposures on biological health.
Origin
Developed by researchers in the field of geroscience and epigenetics, GrimAge was created by correlating methylation patterns with several plasma protein biomarkers known to be predictors of age-related disease and all-cause mortality. The name itself is a somewhat provocative, yet scientifically descriptive, nod to its predictive power regarding life expectancy. It represents a significant step forward in the clinical application of epigenetic aging metrics.
Mechanism
Unlike first-generation clocks that primarily track time, GrimAge’s algorithm incorporates methylation sites that proxy for several key physiological risk factors, including immune cell composition, smoking pack-years, and plasma protein levels like plasminogen activation inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15). By integrating these disease-relevant markers into its calculation, the clock directly measures biological wear and tear. Its predictive utility stems from its ability to capture the underlying biological damage linked to chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.