This project investigates the link between biological ageing and metabolic disease risk, focusing on diabetes mellitus (DM) and complications (nephropathy, cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease, encephalopathy, bone disease, non-diabetic obesity, acute myocardial infarction) and ageing-related functional decline (hearing loss, cognitive impairment).
Research questions
(1) How does biological ageing, measured by biomarkers, influence the risk of metabolic diseases and ageing-related functional decline?
(2) Which variants and biomarkers are associated with increased vulnerability to the kidney, brain, bone, cardiovascular system, hearing function, and cognition?
(3) How do lifestyle and environmental factors modify the relationship between ageing, metabolic dysfunction, and functional decline?
(4) Can integrated predictive models improve early identification of individuals at high risk of metabolic-related diseases and ageing related functional decline?
Objectives
(1) Identify ageing-associated genetic, clinical, and functional biomarkers for metabolic diseases and ageing-related functional decline.
(2) Assess lifestyle impacts on metabolic disease risk and functional decline across ageing trajectories.
(3) Explore interactions between biological ageing, metabolic dysfunction, sensory decline, cognitive impairment, and chronic disease outcomes.
(4) Develop predictive indicator-based predictive models to stratify high-risk individuals.
Scientific Rationale
Aging drives metabolic dysfunction, sensory and cognitive impairment. DM and complications are ageing-related multiorgan damage; hearing loss and cognitive impairment are key ageing markers and outcome predictors. Understanding how ageing accelerates metabolic disease and functional decline is essential for early prevention. The UK Biobank offers unparalleled longitudinal, genetic, phenotypic data for this. Findings will advance ageing-driven mechanism insights, supporting precision prevention.
