Methylation and algorithms in biological aging: a scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
• Gerontology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic mechanism implicated in biological aging.
• Changes in DNA methylation patterns may reflect or influence the divergence between an individual's biological and chronological age.
• The relationship between DNA methylation and aging is a rapidly evolving research field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of research on DNA methylation and biological age.
• To analyze the evolution and refinement of methylation-based strategies for assessing biological age.
• To identify consistent and discordant findings and highlight future research avenues in epigenetic age assessment.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review methodology was employed.
• Analysis of 435 relevant research papers was performed.
• Specific focus on 167 studies utilizing methylation-based strategies to determine biological age.

Main Results:

• Detailed the progression and development of methylation-based clocks and algorithms over time.
• Identified advancements in measurement, calculation, and assessment methodologies for epigenetic age.
• Highlighted both consensus and discrepancies within the existing research landscape.

Conclusions:

• Methylation-based strategies are central to quantifying epigenetic biological age.
• Continued research is essential for refining these tools and understanding their implications in aging.
• Future work should focus on novel algorithmic approaches and robust assessment of epigenetic age markers.