Can methylation clocks target aging?
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Methylation clocks, which measure DNA methylation patterns, are increasingly seen as reliable indicators of biological age and can improve our understanding of aging. These clocks are not only better predictors of health and mortality than chronological age but also show potential in determining the longevity and health span of individuals 1.
David Sinclair's research suggests that DNA methylation patterns might be fundamental to the aging process, potentially driving aging itself rather than just indicating it. This opens up possibilities for reversing age-related changes by modifying methylation patterns, as demonstrated in studies where vision and aging in optic neurons were reversed in a mouse model through changing DNA methylation 1.
Nir Barzilai elaborates that methylation clocks are effective in predicting biological age and, by extension, the risk of mortality and various diseases. The development of these clocks involves sophisticated analyses and artificial intelligence to correlate methylation sites with age indicators 2 3.
However, experts like and acknowledge that while these clocks are highly predictive, the specific molecular mechanisms behind them are not fully understood, which remains a critical area of research 2 4. The accuracy and utility of these clocks also highlight that biological age, influenced by lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet, can diverge significantly from chronological age 5 6.
Overall, while methylation clocks signify a breakthrough in understanding and potentially targeting aging, more research is needed to fully harness their capabilities in developing anti-aging interventions.
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