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🔬TODAY’S BREAKTHROUGH
An international Delphi study has reached expert consensus on which biomarkers of aging should be used as outcomes in human intervention trials. It filters hundreds of suggestions down to a clear, practical set for real‑world studies.
The Discovery:
Across three Delphi rounds, 460 invited experts proposed 460 candidates, then voted on 500 statements for 20 biomarkers. Consensus required at least 70 percent agreement.
The panel endorsed 14 biomarkers spanning physiological, inflammatory, functional, and epigenetic domains, while several popular measures failed to meet the bar. The statement set also rates suitability by intervention duration, field use, burden, invasiveness, and cost.
The Science:
Endorsed biomarkers: IGF‑1, GDF‑15, hsCRP, IL‑6, muscle mass, muscle strength, hand grip strength, Timed‑Up‑and‑Go, gait speed, standing balance test, frailty index, cognitive health, blood pressure, and DNA methylation based epigenetic clocks.
Not endorsed or only moderate: Glucose and cholesterol removed; TNF‑α, HbA1c, and telomere length did not reach consensus.
Timing: Endorsed biomarkers are better for medium and long‑term trials than acute or very short studies.
Practicality: Most are suitable for frail and cognitively impaired participants and for field settings; DNA methylation was flagged as higher cost.
Evaluation: Broad agreement on precision and reliability; specificity varied. Composite biomarkers preferred over single markers for capturing heterogeneous aging.
Your Action:
When you assess an aging trial, look for these 14 consensus biomarkers in the outcomes. Favor studies that report functional measures together with inflammation and epigenetic clocks, specify duration of follow‑up, and disclose burden and cost.
Treat claims based on non‑endorsed markers with caution.
Bottom Line:
A clear, expert‑approved panel now exists for aging trials. Using these 14 biomarkers will make human longevity research more comparable and trustworthy.
Source:
An Expert Consensus Statement on Biomarkers of Aging for Use in Intervention Studies, The Journals of Gerontology Series A. Giorgia Perri, Newcastle University, and colleagues. Published: 21 December 2024.
https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glae297
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Disclaimer:
This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen.