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Project

Paving the way to precision medicine in childhood-onset diseases: A lifespan perspective on accelerated aging using the epigenetic clock

Many childhood-onset diseases used to be lethal. Improved life
expectancy yield that most patients can survive into adulthood, to
date. However, survivors of childhood-onset diseases often develop
morbidities that suggest accelerated aging. Congenital heart disease
is a typical example of a childhood-onset disease. It is the most
common birth defect, comprising a spectrum of mild, moderate and
complex heart defects. Several age-related morbidities occur more
often and at an earlier age in these patients.
The overall goal of this project is to quantify and understand
disparities in chronological and biological age over the lifespan in
patients with congenital heart disease. We will measure indicators
and risk factors for aging over the entire lifespan, from the beginning
of life until advanced age.
We propose 3 studies, in which we will include 288 newborns and
500 (young) adults with congenital heart disease. As a marker of
aging, we will measure the length of telomeres, which are the
protective ends of chromosomes. Clinical, behavioral, psychological
and social predictors will be scrutinized to investigate how aging can
be explained. In a selected group of 200 adult patients, the
epigenetic clock based on DNA methylation will be determined. This
is a novel technique to assess the disparity between biological and
chronological age.

Date:1 Jan 2022 →  Today
Keywords:aging, lifespan research, congenital heart disease
Disciplines:Public health services not elsewhere classified, Health promotion and policy, Biogerontology, Paediatrics, Cardiology