King’s College London study reveals biological aging is highly individual

A study published in the journal Science, conducted by researchers from King’s College London and affiliated institutions, reveals that biological aging is not a uniform process. Through the MultiMuTHER study, part of the long-term British TwinsUK program, scientists tracked 335 women aged 32 to 80 over an eight-year period.

By analyzing blood samples at least three times per participant between 2009 and 2017, researchers monitored the activity of 5,061 genes and levels of 181 metabolites, including lipids, sugars, and hormones. The findings indicate that while there are common trends in aging, there is also significant individual variability. Some participants followed general aging patterns, while others showed unique biological shifts or even movements in opposite directions.

Changes in gene activity were linked to various conditions; for instance, decreased activity in certain genes was associated with diabetes, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, while increased activity in others was linked to Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, as well as cellular repair processes. The study suggests that chronological age alone may not accurately reflect the internal biological state of an individual.