Brain’s Biological Age Emerges as Key Health Risk Indicator

Clinical Significance of Brain Age in Mortality and Disease Risk

In a groundbreaking study funded by the National Institutes of Health and conducted by Stanford Medicine, researchers have unveiled that the biological age of the brain is a stronger predictor of overall health and lifespan than chronological age. Using a blood-based indicator that analyzes nearly 3,000 circulating proteins, scientists evaluated aging across 11 organ systems, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, using data from over 45,000 individuals.

Explore all Neurology CME/CE Conferences

The results were striking: individuals with biologically older brains had a 182% higher risk of mortality over the next 15 years, while those with younger brains experienced a 40% lower mortality risk. These associations held even after adjusting for traditional risk factors. Notably, a biologically aged brain also tripled the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, rivaling the predictive strength of the APOE4 genetic variant.

A Blood-Based Indicator for Organ-Specific Aging

According to Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, professor of neurology and director of the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience, the team has created a tool with significant clinical utility:

“We’ve developed a blood-based indicator of the age of your organs. With this indicator, we can assess the age of an organ today and predict the odds of your getting a disease associated with that organ 10 years later.”

This biological age assessment could help forecast conditions like heart disease, atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and Alzheimer’s, well in advance of symptom onset. Unlike genetic testing, which offers static information, the protein-based model reflects the current physiological status of organs and is potentially modifiable through lifestyle interventions, pharmaceuticals, or targeted therapies aimed at organ youth restoration.

Multi-Organ Analysis and Clinical Implications for HCPs

This study’s algorithm not only evaluates the brain but also provides age profiles for the heart, lungs, liver, and musculoskeletal system. For example, a biologically aged heart correlated with a heightened risk of atrial fibrillation, while an aged lung profile was associated with increased incidence of COPD. HCPs could use such assessments to individualize prevention plans, initiate early screenings, and monitor the efficacy of longevity interventions.

The research represents a potential paradigm shift in how health outcomes and mortality risk are predicted. Instead of reacting to disease, healthcare may evolve toward a model rooted in predictive diagnostics, enabling earlier, organ-targeted intervention and resource allocation.

The Future of Precision Longevity Medicine

As this algorithm-based biological age model continues to undergo clinical validation, its implementation could serve as a cornerstone in professional development for clinicians across specialties, from neurology and geriatrics to primary care and internal medicine. The ability to determine the biological state of the brain and other organs through a simple blood test could become an essential tool in modern healthcare for disease prediction, personalized care, and long-term health planning.\

For HCPs, this advancement not only enhances diagnostic accuracy but also opens new avenues in preventive care, particularly in managing aging-associated disorders and improving longevity outcomes for at-risk populations.

For More Information: Oh, H. S.-H., et al. (2025). Plasma proteomics links brain and immune system aging with healthspan and longevity. Nature Medicine. doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03798-1.