Concept of Human Aging Biomarkers

Aging biomarkers could potentially facilitate assessment of the rate of aging, age-related diseases, and allow monitoring of the effectiveness of preventive interventions such as diet, physical activity, and geroprotectors. This article examines key criteria for the aging biomarkers, including their association with age, prognostic value regarding mortality, ability to detect early stages of age-related pathologies, and minimal invasiveness. Comprehensive classification of the markers (clinical, functional, molecular, omics, digital) and evolution of “aging clocks” – from epigenetic models to causal systems based on Mendelian randomization – is presented. Special attention is given to the explainable artificial intelligence technologies that allow for interpretation of the algorithms, as well as practical use of the biomarkers in clinical studies in the manner understandable to humans. Prospects for the development of the comprehensive panels of biomarkers and personalized approaches to aging assessment are discussed.