# GrimAge

GrimAge is a second-generation epigenetic clock. Lu et al. introduced it in 2019, with Steve Horvath as senior author. Instead of predicting your chronological age, it is trained on time-to-death. It combines DNA-methylation stand-ins for seven plasma proteins (like PAI-1 and GDF-15). It also adds a methylation-based estimate of your smoking pack-years. In multiple cohorts, GrimAge and the updated GrimAge2 (2022) beat earlier clocks. They better predict all-cause death, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. GrimAge is widely used in research. But its clinical use as a diagnostic endpoint is still investigational.

## Sources

- Lu AT, Quach A, Wilson JG, Reiner AP, Aviv A, Raj K, Hou L, Baccarelli AA, Li Y, Stewart JD, Whitsel EA, Assimes TL, Ferrucci L, Horvath S. (2019). DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan. Aging (Albany NY). https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101684

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/glossary/grimage · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_