In recent years, significant efforts have been made to standardize the use of a single epigenetic clock based on DNA methylation status of CpG sites on the genome. This standardization is crucial as it allows for meaningful comparisons between different studies and prevents the cherry-picking of clocks to produce favorable results for specific therapeutic approaches. With the existence of suitable candidate universal mammalian clocks, it’s time to move towards a standardized approach to epigenetic aging research.
As an illustration of the importance of standardization, a recent study utilized a non-standard clock with only four CpG sites and showed significant differences between study groups. This not only hinders comparison with data obtained from different clocks but also limits the meaningful contribution of the study to the advancement of knowledge. It is reasonable to assume that clocks built with a small number of CpG sites may only reflect a narrow subset of the aging processes, making them unsuitable for assessing the results of interventions targeting broader aspects of aging.
In a related study titled “Decelerated Epigenetic Aging in Long Livers”, researchers estimate epigenetic age in long-lived individuals using Bekaert’s blood-based age prediction model. The results show a significant slowing of epigenetic and potentially biological aging in this group, highlighting the need for further research into the epigenetic status of centenarians to gain a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to delayed aging in this population.
