Predicting Mortality with a Simple Cheek Swab: The Future of Aging

Scientists have developed a revolutionary epigenetic clock, CheekAge, which uses cheek cell data to accurately predict mortality risk.

Key Findings:

1. CheekAge outperforms earlier blood-based epigenetic clocks in predicting mortality.
2. The test identifies key methylation sites associated with lifespan.
3. Non-invasive cheek swab sampling offers a simple approach to studying aging.

Expert Insights:

“Our epigenetic clock trained on cheek cells predicts mortality when measuring the methylome in blood cells, suggesting common mortality signals across tissues.” – Dr. Maxim Shokhirev

“A simple cheek swab can be a valuable alternative for studying and tracking the biology of aging.” – Dr. Maxim Shokhirev

Unlocking the Secrets of Aging:

1. CheekAge correlates with mortality risk, with a 21% increase in hazard ratio per standard deviation.
2. Specific genes, such as PDZRN4 and ALPK2, show potential links to lifespan and age-related diseases.
3. Future studies will explore associations with age-related diseases and healthspan.

Reference:

Study published in Frontiers in Aging (2024)

Share Your Thoughts:

How do you think this breakthrough will impact our understanding of aging and disease prevention?