New ‘biological aging’ test predicts risk of death in a year: know how it works
CheekAge is an epigenetic clock that assesses a person's "biological age" by analysing chemical patterns attached to their DNA.
You might be surprised to learn that your cheek cells could predict your lifespan. A new study reveals that the cells found in a person’s cheek may accurately indicate their risk of death in the coming year, providing valuable insights into biological aging. This research highlights the potential of using simple biological markers to assess overall health and longevity.
The study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging backs the fact, ‘CheekAge’ is the new instrument to predict a person’s risk of dying in a year using their buccal samples.
It also revealed that for adults aged 69 to 101, a strong link to the risk of death from any cause. For each increase in the participants’ cheekage, their risk of death within the next year rose by 21%.
CheekAge is an epigenetic clock that assesses a person’s “biological age” by analysing chemical patterns attached to their DNA. According to David Furman, an associate professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, California, who did not participate in the study, “biological age often provides a clearer picture of an individual’s health than their actual years of life.”
The long-term goal of the instrument is to help people to know their biological ageing and give an option to slow it down. Although, these tools currently can’t explain how to achieve that, according to Furman and Maxim Shokhirev, the first study author and head of computational biology at Tally Health in New York.
How does CheekAge work?
The tool examines ageing of the blood and other tissues to make predictions about a person’s chronological age and their risk of death and age-related diseases, like cancer and more.
The main ageing indicator of the clocks track is DNA methylation, a process where tiny molecules called methyl groups attach to DNA as time goes on. These molecules play a role in controlling gene expression, activating or deactivating certain genes.
Scientists developed CheekAge by analysing cheek swabs from individuals aged 18 to 93. They matched DNA methylation patterns in the cheek cells with a health score that included factors like stress levels, education, and body mass index (BMI). As a result, a person’s “CheekAge score” was linked to their health status and perceived biological ageing.
Shokhirev, scientist at Tellay Health said, “We were surprised to see that CheekAge worked so well in a different tissue.” He further said, “this might indicate that CheekAge is detecting health signals that are consistent across various tissue types.”
“One of the main objectives of developing epigenetic clocks is to find interventions that can affect or slow down these natural ageing processes,” said Steve Horvath, a professor of human genetics and biostatistics at UCLA.
However, scientists have said the tool is moderately useful in depicting individuals behavioural changes like their physical activity or diet. But it is unable to tell what to do to prevent the phenomenon.
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