A cluster analysis to define human aging phenotypes

A cluster analysis to define human aging phenotypes

The definition of a precise and consistent aging phenotype that allows to measure the physical and cognitive decline, as well as the increase of mortality hazard late in life, is a major problem for studies aimed at finding the genetic factors modulating rate and quality of human aging. In this fram...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biogerontology (Dordrecht) Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 283 - 290
Main Authors: PASSARINO, G, MONTESANTO, A, DE RANGO, F, GARASTO, S, BERARDELLI, M, DOMMA, F, MARI, V, FERACO, E, FRANCESCHI, C, DE BENEDICTIS, G
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Dordrecht Springer 01-06-2007
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Aging - genetics
Aging - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Cluster Analysis
Cognition - physiology
Cognitive ability
Depression - physiopathology
Development. Metamorphosis. Moult. Ageing
Female
Frailty
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetic factors
Genetic variance
Geriatric Assessment - methods
Geriatrics
Hand Strength - physiology
Humans
Male
Mental Status Schedule
Older people
Phenotype
Phenotypes
Reproducibility of Results
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
Human
Vertebrata
Phenotype
Senescence
Mammalia
Apolipoprotein E
Ageing
Frailty
Aging Aging phenotype APOE
Children of centenarians, Cluster analysis
Child
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Summary:The definition of a precise and consistent aging phenotype that allows to measure the physical and cognitive decline, as well as the increase of mortality hazard late in life, is a major problem for studies aimed at finding the genetic factors modulating rate and quality of human aging. In this frame, it seems promising the concept of frailty which tends to figure out the subjects who are more vulnerable and more prone to negative outcomes, such as death or hospitalization. Cognitive, functional and psychological measures turned out to be the most effective measures to define frailty, as they condense most of the frailty cycle that occurs in the elderly and is probably responsible of the aging related physical decline. We used MMSE, Hand Grip strength, and GDS as variable parameters in a hierarchical Cluster Analysis (CA) in order to recognise aging phenotypes. By using a sample of 65-85 years old subjects we identified three frailty phenotypes that were consistent from both geriatric and genetic perspectives. Therefore, the method we propose may provide unbiased phenotypes suitable for the identification of genetic variants affecting the quality of aging in this age range. The CA method was less effective in ultranonagenarians, probably due to the high prevalence of frail subjects in this age group that makes difficult to distinguish discrete phenotypes.
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ISSN:1389-5729
1573-6768
DOI:10.1007/s10522-006-9071-5