Everyone is familiar with their chronological age - the age calculated from the day you were born. However, an equally crucial metric, one's biological age, might not be as well known. Biological age is assessed based on the function and condition of the physiological systems compared to the average performance of individuals of the same chronological age.
Chronological age stands as the most significant risk factor for ailments like dementia and stroke. Yet, latest findings from Karolinska Institutet hint that biological age can influence the risk for these conditions too. This article delves into the implications of this study and its connection between high biological age and an increased risk of dementia and stroke.
The researchers in question have produced a biological age model that is based on the markers from blood samples. These markers include molecules, metabolites, and proteins. Changes in the levels of these markers signify normal aging or the progression of a disease.
By studying these blood sample markers in participants over a broad age range, the scientists can compare these markers with those of the average individual of the same chronological age, which effectively determines their biological age.
Various studies in the past have displayed how people of the same chronological age can have varying degrees of biological age. For instance, one 70-year old may appear biologically younger than his peers, indicating better health and a longer life expectancy, whereas another may display the opposite.
Linking this to chronic conditions, it was hypothesized by researchers at Karolinska Institutet that deviations in biological age could be related to the increased likelihood of dementia and stroke. The team aimed to explore if deviations in the aging markers are connected with the subsequent risk of these conditions.
The investigation involved approximately 5,200 participants from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) and the Swedish Twin Registry. The participants were observed for around five to eight years after the collection of blood samples.
Upon analyzing the data, researchers reported a significant relationship between a high biological age as per the new model and the escalated risk of dementia and stroke. Participants with a higher biological age according to the aging markers had a greater risk of developing these conditions than those who had a lower biological age.
In other words, if a participant’s biological age was higher than their chronological age — that implied an accelerated aging process — they had a greater risk of dementia and stroke. This finding was irrespective of their chronological age, gender, and even common risk factors.
Furthermore, these findings remained constant even when taking into account the influence of lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking. This showed that the impact of a high biological age went beyond the effects of unhealthy lifestyle choices or environmental factors.
Thus, this goes on to infer a possibility that interventions targeted at these aging markers, i.e., the molecules, metabolites, and proteins, could potentially alter the risk of dementia or stroke in the future.
While this might unveil new possibilities for disease prediction and prevention, it is also essential to note the limitations. While the study clearly established an association between biological age, dementia, and stroke, it did not investigate current biological age as a predictive tool for future risk of these conditions.
Also, more research is needed to fully understand the markers that form the basis of biological age and how they interact with each other. Understanding their role in aging and disease will provide the tools to develop further models and design targeted interventions.
Moreover, the new model that calculates biological age needs further refinement before it can be applicable in a clinical setting. Since the model is based on blood samples, and the markers in the blood can change due to various factors, the determination of biological age could vary with time.
Nonetheless, the study underscores the importance of understanding one's biological age. It has the potential to provide a more accurate assessment of an individual's aging process and risk of age-related diseases than chronological age alone. Future research should aim to refine the definition of biological age and elucidate its connections with various health conditions.
Thus, it has broader implications for preventive healthcare. By understanding and monitoring our biological age, we may be able to anticipate potential health issues better and take necessary measures to reduce their impact.
In conclusion, the correlation between a high biological age and the increased risk of dementia and stroke holds great potential for future research. It opens up new pathways for treating these age-related diseases by delaying the aging process to improve overall health in older adults.