Epigenetic drift score captures directional methylation variability and links aging to transcriptional, metabolic, and genetic alterations.

ABSTRACT: Epigenetic drift refers to the gradual and stochastic accumulation of epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation variability, with advancing age. Although increasingly recognized for its potential role in aging biology, its extent, biological significance, and population specificity remain insufficiently characterized. Here, we present the first comprehensive epigenome-wide drift study (EWDS) in a large Chinese cohort (n = 3538), with replication in two independent Chinese (total n = 1467) and two European cohorts (total n = 956), to investigate the scale and relevance of epigenetic drift across populations. Through simulation, we identify White's test as the most powerful method among four alternatives for detecting age-associated methylation variability. Our EWDS reveals that 10.8% (50,

SUBMITTER: Fan X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12487821 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature