New “metabolic clock” could help detect early signs of disease and accelerated aging
CIC bioGUNEPeer-Reviewed Publication
Researchers at CIC bioGUNE, led by Prof. José M. Mato and Dr. Óscar Millet, have developed a “metabolic aging clock” that uses a simple blood test to predict biological age and detect early signs of disease. Published in npj Metabolic Health and Disease, the tool leverages NMR metabolomics and machine learning to analyze small molecules in the blood, providing a more accurate measure of health than chronological age.
Developed with data from over 13,500 participants in the AKRIBEA cohort (Basque Country), the clock can reveal discrepancies between metabolic and chronological age, potentially signaling early disease. For example, prostate cancer patients showed a metabolic age nearly 5 years older than their actual age, while those with fatty liver disease had a difference of over 14 years. The system also detects subtype-specific disease patterns that traditional tests may miss.
Beyond aging, the platform can estimate 25+ clinical parameters, such as inflammation or kidney function, from the same blood sample, offering a non-invasive, personalized health assessment. The team aims to further validate the tool for broader use in healthcare, supporting early detection, risk stratification, and healthier aging.
- Journal
- npj Metabolic Health and Disease