What is GrimAge?
GrimAge is a second-generation epigenetic clock that estimates biological age from DNA methylation marks. This article summarises its formal definition, the pathways it captures, and the research studies that have used i
What is GrimAge?
GrimAge is a second-generation DNA methylation-based biological age estimator, often referred to as an epigenetic clock or biological age clock. It is calculated from DNA methylation marks in samples such as blood or saliva and produces an estimate of biological age, which can be compared with chronological age to calculate age acceleration—the difference between chronological and biological age [1]. Unlike first-generation clocks that rely primarily on chronological age-associated methylation sites, GrimAge incorporates methylation surrogates for plasma proteins and smoking history, and it has been associated with morbidity and mortality outcomes in epidemiological studies. The evidence block does not provide a sequence, formula, or molecular weight for GrimAge, as it is a statistical algorithm rather than a discrete chemical entity.
The work centres on DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification, and its relationship to ageing pathways; the specific receptor or pathway family is not defined in the evidence provided.
Research Studies
GrimAge and seasonal variation in biological age
A clinical study is evaluating the effect of seasonality on biological age in adults. The research aims to provide insights on how seasonal variations influence biological age and to enhance the design and analysis of long-term lifestyle interventions targeting biological clocks [1]. Biological age clocks, including GrimAge, are measured from samples like blood or saliva and are emerging as tools for assessing the pace of ageing and calculating age acceleration [1]. This study is ongoing; no results are reported in the evidence block.
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 (PD) or Parkinson-plus syndromes (PPS). Ten participants underwent posterior superior iliac spine bone marrow aspiration under local anaesthesia. The unprocessed aspirate was filtered and administered intravenously via normal saline infusion on the same day. A portion of the aspirate was centrifuged to produce a bone marrow aspirate concentrate, which was atomised intranasally using a mucosal atomisation device. Cells were not expanded in culture or genetically modified [2]. The study included exploratory epigenetic outcomes, which may include GrimAge, but the evidence block does not specify which clocks were used or report results.
GrimAge and genetic susceptibility in Asian populations
A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on multiple epigenetic clocks to investigate the genetic underpinnings of epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in Asian populations. The study used a Korean cohort and identified Asian-specific genetic susceptibility for EAA [3]. This finding is reported in the context of multiple clocks, and GrimAge may be among them, but the evidence block does not specify which clocks were analysed or provide effect sizes.
GrimAge and age acceleration in adults
Age acceleration, calculated as the difference between chronological and biological age, is a key output of GrimAge and other epigenetic clocks. The evidence indicates that biological age clocks can be measured from blood or saliva and are valuable for assessing the pace of ageing [1]. No specific values or comparisons are provided in the evidence block.
GrimAge and lifestyle interventions
The seasonality study aims to enhance the design and analysis of long-term lifestyle interventions targeting biological clocks [1]. This suggests that GrimAge may be used as an outcome measure in such interventions, but no results are available in the evidence block.
GrimAge and mortality prediction
The evidence block does not contain information on GrimAge and mortality prediction. This section is therefore omitted.
GrimAge and animal models
The evidence block does not contain animal-only or in vitro studies of GrimAge. All cited studies are in humans or human cohorts.
GrimAge and tissue specificity
GrimAge is measured from samples such as blood or saliva [1]. The evidence block does not provide data on tissue-specific differences in GrimAge estimates.
Comparison of epigenetic clocks in cited studies
| Study | Population | Clock(s) used | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonality study [1] | Adults | Biological age clocks (unspecified) | Effect of seasonality on biological age |
| SPARC-PD [2] | Adults with PD or PPS | Exploratory epigenetic outcomes (unspecified) | Safety, tolerability, exploratory epigenetic outcomes |
| GWAS in Korean cohort [3] | Korean population | Multiple epigenetic clocks | Genetic susceptibility for EAA |
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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