This research addresses whether currently prescribed medications demonstrate geroprotective effects that could slow biological aging and extend healthspan. The primary objective is to systematically identify medications associated with reduced biological age through analysis of the UK Biobank, focusing on blood-based composite biomarkers and proteomic signatures. We will also use plasma proteomic data to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying observed geroprotective effects.
The scientific rationale stems from recent advances demonstrating that biological age can be quantitatively assessed through blood-based measures and is responsive to interventions. Our preliminary data from NHANES revealed a number of candidate drugs that significantly reduced biological age across multiple DNA methylation, providing proof-of-concept that prescribed medications may have geroprotective effects beyond their primary indications.
We will leverage the UK Biobank’s extensive medication histories and clinical laboratory data to calculate established blood-based aging biomarkers including the Klemera-Doubal method, PhenoAge, and Homeostatic Dysregulation indices. Advanced machine learning models will identify medications associated with reduced biological age while implementing sophisticated patient matching algorithms to control for confounding factors. For promising candidates, we will use plasma proteomics data to derive organ-specific aging insights and understand biological mechanisms. This drug repurposing strategy offers significant translational advantages by focusing on approved medications with established safety profiles, enabling potential rapid clinical translation while developing computational frameworks applicable to future aging research across multiple biobank systems.
