Innovative Aging Analysis
Researchers developed CheekAge, a next-generation epigenetic clock predicting mortality risk using methylation data from cheek cells, making aging analysis more accessible and less invasive than blood tests.
CheekAge's accuracy in predicting all-cause mortality risk outperforms first-generation clocks, with each standard deviation increase in CheekAge correlating to a 21% surge in mortality risk.
Genetic Links and Future Implications
The study identified specific genes, like PDZRN4 and ALPK2, potentially influencing lifespan and age-related diseases, suggesting targeted research could unveil more about mortality and aging.
Researchers emphasize the need for future studies to explore CheekAge's associations beyond all-cause mortality, including its potential in predicting age-related diseases and enhancing 'healthspan'.