Recent research has revealed clock-like patterns of epigenetic change across the life span in humans. Models describing these epigenetic changes have been dubbed "epigenetic clocks," and they can not only predict chronological age but also reveal biological age, which measures physiological homeostasis and deterioration over the life span. Comparative studies of the epigenetic clocks of different primate species are likely to provide insights into the evolution of life history schedules, as well as shed light on the physiological and genetic bases of aging and aging-related diseases. Chronological age estimation using clock-based calculators may also offer biological anthropologists a useful tool for applying to forensic and demographic studies.
Keywords: demography; genetics; longevity; methylation; senescence.
© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.