Abstract review: interventions and next-generation epigenetic aging clocks in humans
An abstract reports 41 human studies of interventions and next-generation epigenetic clocks: some interventions lowered estimated epigenetic age, others showed no detectable effect, and plasmapheresis and other therapeutics accelerated epigenetic aging. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Next-generation epigenetic clocks are described as investigational biomarkers more strongly associated with all-cause mortality risk than first-generation clocks. [1]
The authors identified 41 human studies reporting intervention effects on at least one next-generation epigenetic clock. [1]
Plasmapheresis and other therapeutics accelerated epigenetic aging, while nicotinamide riboside, rapamycin and senolytics showed no detectable effect. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Abstract of a systematic review of human intervention studies
- Population / context
- Humans in 41 studies of interventions and next-generation epigenetic clocks
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- May 29, 2026
Clocks as investigational biomarkers
Epigenetic aging clocks estimate age from DNA methylation patterns. Next-generation clocks were developed to better account for divergence between chronological and epigenetic age related to lifestyle, health and age-related disease. The abstract calls these clocks investigational biomarkers and states that the newer models are more strongly associated with all-cause mortality risk than first-generation clocks. This is an association, not proof that changing a clock changes mortality.
Supporting source [1]
Interventions reported to lower epigenetic age
The authors performed systematic searches and identified 41 human studies reporting effects of interventions on at least one next-generation clock. They report that a diverse range of pharmaceutical, lifestyle, supplementation, non-pharmaceutical clinical and psychosocial interventions can decrease epigenetic age. Named examples include exercise, a plant-rich diet, the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide, caloric restriction, ketamine, omega-3 fatty acids, a multivitamin-multimineral supplement, umbilical cord plasma and the cholesterol-lowering drug pitavastatin.
Supporting source [1]
No effect, faster aging and abstract limits
Nicotinamide riboside, rapamycin, senolytics and several other interventions showed no detectable effect, whereas plasmapheresis and other therapeutics accelerated epigenetic aging, according to the abstract. The authors also summarize reported effect sizes and compare next-generation clocks by frequency of use and responsiveness to intervention. Only the abstract was reviewed; the full text was not reviewed. Design details, sample sizes, follow-up and the size of each effect are not given here, so the findings concern clock estimates, not proven changes in lifespan or disease outcomes.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report study designs, sample sizes, follow-up or effect sizes, and clock changes are not established lifespan or disease benefits.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Johnson AA, Sinclair DA. · europepmc.org · May 29, 2026