A Full Life Cycle Biological Clock Based On Routine Clinical Data And Its Impact In Health And Diseases
Imagine if we could understand our body’s internal timing for health and disease, not just based on how many years we’ve lived, but on our actual biological state. While traditional medicine often relies on our chronological age (the number of years since birth), a new approach is revolutionizing how we view health by calculating a “biological age.” This biological age reflects the true condition of our body, which can be different from our actual age.
Scientists have created a sophisticated artificial intelligence system, much like an advanced pattern-recognition tool, that analyzes routine digital health records and laboratory test results. These records, which doctors regularly collect, contain a wealth of information about our health over time. By looking at millions of patient visits, this AI learns to identify subtle patterns that indicate how our bodies are developing and aging.
What’s fascinating is that this system identified two distinct “clocks” within us. For children, there’s a “pediatric clock” that tracks development and can foresee risks for childhood conditions like malnutrition or growth issues. For adults, an “adult clock” monitors aging processes and can predict the likelihood of common age-related diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, stroke, and heart problems, sometimes years before symptoms appear.
This breakthrough shifts the focus from just treating illnesses to proactive, personalized care. By understanding an individual’s biological age and potential risks early on, healthcare providers could offer tailored interventions and preventive strategies. This innovative tool could make advanced health predictions accessible and affordable, ultimately helping people lead healthier, longer lives by leveraging the data already available in their routine medical charts.
Source: link to paper