Disentangling the genetic determinants of human aging: Biological age as an alternative to the use of survival measures

David Karasik, Serkalem Demissie, L. Adrienne Cupples, Douglas P. Kiel

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

125 Scopus citations

Abstract

The choice of a phenotype is critical for the study of a complex genetically regulated process, such as aging. To date, most of the twin and family studies have focused on broad survival measures, primarily age at death or exceptional longevity. However, on the basis of recent studies of twins and families, biological age has also been shown to have a strong genetic component, with heritability estimates ranging from 27% to 57%. The aim of this review is twofold: first, to summarize growing consensus on reliable methods of biological age assessment, and second, to demonstrate validity of this phenotype for research in the genetics of aging in humans.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)574-587
Number of pages14
JournalJournals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Volume60
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2005
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute on AgingR03AG020321

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