The Pace of Aging biomarker, derived from the Dunedin Study data, evaluates the pace of biological aging rather than biological age itself. In a recent study, developers enhanced the original design by broadening the study populations and streamlining the assessment process. The Pace of Aging marker correlates with key aging factors like life expectancy, mortality risk, and age-related disease development. Notably, as age advances, the Pace of Aging increases, reflecting the progression of age-related functional decline. This metric holds significance for healthspan and lifespan in older adults.
The latest adaptation of the Pace of Aging method focuses on individuals from diverse birth cohorts in midlife and older age, using a limited panel of biomarkers. By analyzing data from the US Health and Retirement Study, researchers identified nine markers measured consistently across assessments, such as CRP, Cystatin-C, and grip strength. These parameters were used to calculate individualized Pace of Aging scores, revealing significant differences in aging rates among various demographics. Faster Pace of Aging was associated with higher incident morbidity, disability, and mortality risks, especially in older adults. The findings remained consistent across sociodemographic groups and were independent of other factors like smoking and education level.
