What does the research say about GrimAge?
GrimAge is a second-generation epigenetic clock trained on plasma protein surrogates and smoking history. This page summarises the research literature on its construction, validation, and use in clinical and population s
What is GrimAge?
GrimAge is a second-generation DNA methylation-based estimator of biological age, sometimes referred to in the literature as a DNAm-based mortality risk score or epigenetic clock. It belongs to the class of epigenetic clocks, which are statistical models that use DNA methylation patterns at specific CpG sites to estimate biological age or predict health outcomes. Unlike first-generation clocks such as Horvath's or Hannum's, GrimAge was trained on plasma protein surrogates and smoking history rather than chronological age alone. The evidence block does not provide a sequence, formula, or molecular weight for GrimAge, as it is a computational construct rather than a physical molecule.
The work on GrimAge centres on the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and its association with ageing phenotypes, particularly through DNA methylation pathways.
Research Studies
GrimAge and epigenetic age acceleration in Asian populations
A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) using multiple epigenetic clocks, including GrimAge, was conducted in a Korean population to explore ethnic differences and individual variability [3]. The study identified Asian-specific genetic susceptibility loci for EAA, suggesting that genetic determinants of epigenetic ageing may differ across populations. This finding is reported as a reference only; the full details are not reproduced here.
GrimAge and seasonality effects on biological age
A clinical study is evaluating the effect of seasonality on biological age in adults, using biological age clocks measured from blood or saliva samples [1]. The research aims to provide insights into how seasonal variations influence biological age and to enhance the design and analysis of long-term lifestyle interventions targeting biological clocks. GrimAge is one of the clocks that may be used in such studies, though the evidence block does not specify which clocks are included.
GrimAge and autologous bone marrow procedures in Parkinson's disease
A pilot study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and exploratory epigenetic outcomes of a single same-day autologous bone marrow procedure in adults with Parkinson's disease or Parkinson-plus syndromes [2]. Ten participants underwent bone marrow aspiration, with unprocessed aspirate administered intravenously and a concentrate administered intranasally. The study included exploratory epigenetic outcomes, which may involve GrimAge or other epigenetic clocks, but the evidence block does not specify which clocks were used or report any results.
GrimAge and mortality prediction
The evidence block does not contain studies directly reporting GrimAge's mortality prediction performance. However, GrimAge is described as a DNAm-based mortality risk score in the literature, and its training on plasma protein surrogates and smoking history is noted in the evidence block. No specific values or comparisons are provided.
GrimAge and lifestyle interventions
The seasonality study [1] mentions that biological age clocks are emerging as valuable tools for assessing the pace of aging and calculating age acceleration. This implies that GrimAge could be used to evaluate lifestyle interventions, but the evidence block does not provide specific results for GrimAge in this context.
GrimAge and genetic underpinnings
The GWAS of EAA [3] used multiple epigenetic clocks, including GrimAge, to understand the genetic underpinnings of epigenetic age acceleration. The study found Asian-specific genetic susceptibility, indicating that genetic factors influencing GrimAge may vary by ethnicity. This is a reference-only finding and is reported as a fact without reproducing the original wording.
GrimAge and clinical outcomes in Parkinson's disease
The pilot study in Parkinson's disease [2] included exploratory epigenetic outcomes, but the evidence block does not report any specific findings related to GrimAge. The study's primary focus was safety and tolerability of the bone marrow procedure.
GrimAge and seasonal variation
The seasonality study [1] aims to investigate how seasonal variations influence biological age. While GrimAge is a biological age clock, the evidence block does not specify whether GrimAge is among the clocks being measured or what the expected effects are.
GrimAge and age acceleration calculation
Biological age clocks, including GrimAge, can be used to calculate age acceleration—the difference between chronological and biological age [1]. This metric is valuable for assessing the pace of aging in individuals and populations.
Comparison of epigenetic clocks in the evidence
| Clock | Training data | Application in evidence |
|---|---|---|
| GrimAge | Plasma protein surrogates and smoking history | Used in GWAS of EAA [3]; potential use in seasonality study [1] and Parkinson's pilot [2] |
| Other epigenetic clocks | Chronological age (first-generation) | Mentioned in GWAS of EAA [3] and seasonality study [1] |
Note: The evidence block does not provide specific names or details of other clocks used in these studies.
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Sources
- [1] Evaluation of the Effect of Seasonality on Biological Age in Adults
- [2] Autologous Bone Marrow Aspirate (IV) and Bone Marrow Concentrate (Intranasal) for Parkinson's Disease and Parkinson-Plus Syndromes (SPARC-PD)
- [3] A genome-wide association study identifies Asian-specific genetic susceptibility for epigenetic age acceleration.