Organ-specific biological aging clocks showed heterogeneous aging patterns and stronger links to cardiovascular event risk than chronological age.
Evidence
Observational imaging and multi-phenotype study of 904 adults aged 55-65 from the Taizhou Imaging Study built organ, cognition, and whole-body aging clocks from brain imaging, cognition, blood biochemistry, omics, and physical measures.
Caveat
The study is observational and age-restricted, so mediation and risk associations do not prove that organ aging causes sensory decline or cardiovascular events.
Simplified
BACKGROUND: Assessing aging pace through offers a precise perspective and underscores the need for further investigation into organ-level disparities.
METHODS: This observational study utilized multi-scale phenotypes from the Taizhou Imaging Study, encompassing brain imaging, cognitive assessment, blood biochemistry, omics, and physical measures. A total of 904 individuals (403 men and 501 women) aged 55-65 years were included. Age correlations with single and composite phenotypes were assessed, and multi-modal aging clocks were developed, incorporating organ systems, cognition, and the whole body.
RESULTS: Here we show that composite phenotypes, such as those of cardiovascular system and bone, alter with age progression and could serve as aging clock features. Despite existing connections among various organs' aging rates, their low intensity (under 0.25) indicates the variability of aging. Accelerated aging in the brain (mediating 12.46%, 95% CI: 4.37% to 24.44%) and kidneys (mediating 6.94%, 95% CI: 1.08% to 18.63%) partially mediates the relationship between smoking and the decline in olfactory identification. The diversity of organ aging is also evident as accelerated aging extends from the cardiovascular system to the kidneys and brain with increasing metabolic risk factors. Moreover, the biological ages of cardiovascular system, bone, metabolism, brain and the whole body show stronger associations with cardiovascular events risk than chronological age.
CONCLUSIONS: The overlap between composite phenotypes and biological age provides valuable insights into multi-phenotypic aging. The unearthing of the heterogeneity in aging processes could further inform the development of personalized interventions to slow organ-specific aging and better manage age-related health problems.
Key numbers
12.46%
Brain Aging Mediation
Percentage of mediation effect in the relationship between smoking and olfactory decline.
6.94%
Kidney Aging Mediation
Percentage of mediation effect in the relationship between smoking and olfactory decline.
904 individuals
Study Cohort Size
Total number of participants in the Taizhou Imaging Study.
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Longevity & Aging