GrimAge
Definition
GrimAge, more formally DNAm GrimAge, is a DNA methylation-based ageing clock designed to estimate mortality and healthspan-related risk. It combines DNA methylation surrogates for selected plasma proteins with a DNA methylation-based estimate of smoking pack-years to produce an age-like measure. [1] [2]
Why It Matters in Ageing Research
GrimAge matters because it was developed to predict lifespan- and healthspan-related outcomes rather than simply estimate chronological age. In ageing studies, GrimAge acceleration is often used to ask whether a person appears biologically older or younger than expected for their calendar age in relation to mortality risk, disease risk, smoking exposure, and other health-related outcomes. [1] [3] [4]
Common Confusion
- GrimAge is not a literal prediction of the exact age at which someone will die.
- GrimAge is not the same as PhenoAge, although both are ageing clocks linked to health and mortality risk.
- GrimAge acceleration is a research measure and should not be interpreted as a standalone diagnosis or medical forecast.
Related Reading
References
- Lu, A. T., Quach, A., Wilson, J. G., Reiner, A. P., Aviv, A., Raj, K., Hou, L., Baccarelli, A. A., Li, Y., Stewart, J. D., Whitsel, E. A., Assimes, T. L., Ferrucci, L., & Horvath, S. (2019). DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101684
- Lu, A. T., Binder, A. M., Zhang, J., Yan, Q., Reiner, A. P., Cox, S. R., Corley, J., Harris, S. E., Kuo, P. L., Moore, A. Z., Bandinelli, S., Stewart, J. D., Hou, L., Baccarelli, A. A., Whitsel, E. A., Assimes, T. L., Chen, B. H., Ferrucci, L., & Horvath, S. (2022). DNA methylation GrimAge version 2. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204434
- Hillary, R. F., Stevenson, A. J., McCartney, D. L., Campbell, A., Walker, R. M., Howard, D. M., Ritchie, C. W., Horvath, S., Hayward, C., McIntosh, A. M., Evans, K. L., Deary, I. J., & Marioni, R. E. (2021). An epigenetic predictor of death captures multi-modal measures of brain health. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-019-0616-9
- Oblak, L., van der Zaag, J., Higgins-Chen, A. T., Levine, M. E., & Boks, M. P. (2021). A systematic review of biological, social and environmental factors associated with epigenetic clock acceleration. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2021.101348
This glossary entry is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.