GrimAge
An outcome-oriented clock using methylation-derived surrogates.
AI-assisted editorial draft · Source check: 6 September 2026 · Independent reviewer: not yet assigned
What it measures
A composite of DNA-methylation estimates of selected proteins and smoking exposure, plus age and sex, rescaled into years.
Source 1: Aging / Lu et al.Required inputs
Compatible methylation data with the demographic inputs required by the model.
How it was developed
Lu and colleagues used a two-stage approach: derive methylation surrogates, then combine them into a mortality-associated model.
Source 1: Aging / Lu et al.Outcome associations
The 2019 paper evaluated associations with mortality and healthspan measures across cohorts.
Source 1: Aging / Lu et al.Limitations
A surrogate protein estimate is not a direct protein measurement. GrimAge is not a diagnosis or an individual life-expectancy calculation. This provisional B grade awaits a full independent-replication review.
Can you calculate it yourself?
Research calculation may be possible from suitable processed data. Specialist preprocessing is required.
Commercial use
Current inclusion of the exact GrimAge version has not been verified for the six starter entries.
Source 1: Aging / Lu et al.Sources & verification
- DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan (2019)
Aging / Lu et al. · Accessed 2026-09-06