The concept of healthspan, or the length of life spent in good health, lacks a universally accepted definition unlike lifespan. To address this gap, researchers have proposed defining healthspan across multiple domains including physical capability, cognitive function, and physiological health. Developing reliable biomarkers, such as the Healthspan Proteomic Score (HPS), can help predict healthspan and assess interventions aimed at extending both healthspan and lifespan. The HPS has shown promise in predicting mortality risk and age-related conditions, making it a valuable tool for geroscience-guided studies.
Composite biomarkers, like the HPS, offer a more comprehensive approach to measuring healthspan compared to single biomarkers. By leveraging data from the UK Biobank, the HPS has demonstrated its predictive accuracy for various age-related outcomes. Proteins associated with the HPS reflect key pathways related to immune response, inflammation, and metabolic regulation, further validating its significance as a surrogate marker in healthspan research.
For further details, refer to the research article “Towards a Consensus Measure of Healthspan” at https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.26.24309530.
