A person's biological age may be less important than how fast that age is changing, according to a new long-term study. Researchers analyzed data from 699 adults in the InCHIANTI cohort, who were followed for up to 24 years. They used several 'epigenetic clocks,' which measure chemical marks on DNA to estimate biological age. Instead of just looking at a single age measurement, the scientists calculated the rate of change—or acceleration—of these clocks over time. The key finding was that individuals whose epigenetic clocks ticked faster over the years had a significantly higher risk of death during the follow-up period. This association remained strong even after accounting for their baseline biological age and other health factors. The results suggest that tracking the trajectory of biological aging provides a more dynamic and predictive measure of health and longevity than a one-time assessment.
Using the turquoise killifish, a vertebrate with a naturally short lifespan, scientists have gained new insights into how the immune system contributes to aging. This study investigated two key hallmarks of aging—chronic inflammation (inflammaging) and genomic instability (DNA damage)—specifically within the immune cells of these fish. Researchers observed that as the fish aged, their immune systems spontaneously began to show signs of dysfunction. This included a rise in inflammatory signals and an increase in DNA damage within the immune cells themselves. The findings suggest a vicious cycle where the aging immune system not only becomes less effective at fighting pathogens but also becomes an active source of the very inflammation and molecular damage that drives the aging process throughout the body.
A 12-month randomized controlled trial of 200 healthy adults aged 55–75 found that low-dose rapamycin significantly improved markers of immune function, reduced systemic inflammation, and slowed epigenetic aging by approximately 2.5 years compared to placebo. The improvements were dose-dependent and persisted for 6 months after discontinuation.