Epigenetic Biomarkers for Biological Age

Abstract

In this chapter, we consider how epigenetic markers are used to assess biological aging. The assessment of epigenetic DNA methylation age (or identification of DNA methylation clock) is based on the association of the methylation level in selected CpG sites of chromosome with chronological age, in a population. When such an association is strong, the methylation level of those sites can be used to evaluate the chronological age of individuals. Such an estimate often called “epigenetic age” or synonymized as indicated previously. The difference between the estimated and actual age of the person, called epigenetic age acceleration (or delta age) that is related to many illnesses and health outcomes such as mortality. The estimated age is often considered as an estimate of biological age. In this chapter, we briefly review the studies assessing epigenetic age and discuss the perspectives of applying its measures in the research on aging.