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Articles by Daniel Belsky
Publisher Correction: Sleep chart of biological ageing clocks in middle and late life
Correction to: Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10524-5 Published online 13 May 2026 In the version of this article, there were typographical errors in the x-axis units listed in Fig. 1, where the range of hours, currently reading “4, 6, 8, 10” appeared originally as “0, 4, 8, 10”. The figure is amended in the HTML and PDF versions of the article.
Epigenetic Clock Analysis of Biological Aging in Adults With Documented Childhood Maltreatment
Introduction Childhood maltreatment is associated with increased risk of chronic disease and premature mortality.1 One hypothesized mechanism is accelerated biological aging.
Author Correction: Sleep chart of biological ageing clocks in middle and late life
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Correction to: Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10524-5 Published online 13 May 2026 The authors regret that two relevant prior studies were not cited in the original publication: Li et al. (2022)1 and Li et al. (2025)2. The references are listed below. References Li, Y. et al. The brain structure and genetic mechanisms underlying the nonlinear association between sleep duration, cognition and mental health. Nat. Aging 2, 425–437 (2022). Article PubMed Google Scholar Li, Y. et al.
By Cliodhna O’Toole, Zhiyuan Song, Filippos Anagnostakis, Zhijian Yang, Ye Tian, Michael Duggan, Chunrui Zou, Yue Leng, Yi Cai, Wenjia Bai, Cynthia Fu, Michael S Rafii, Paul Aisen, Gao T. Wang, Philip De Jager, Jian Zeng, Hamilton OH, Xia Zhou, Keenan A. Walker, Daniel Belsky, Andrew Zalesky, Eleanor M. Simonsick, Susan M. Resnick, Luigi Ferrucci, Christos Davatzikos, Junhao Wen
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Nature
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Sleep chart of biological ageing clocks in middle and late life
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Abstract Optimal sleep has a vital role in promoting healthy ageing and enhancing longevity. Here we propose Sleep Chart to assess the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and 23 biological ageing clocks derived from in vivo imaging1, plasma proteomics2 and metabolomics3. First, a systemic, U-shaped pattern emerges between sleep duration and biological age gaps across nine brain and body systems and three omics technologies.
By Cliodhna O’Toole, Zhiyuan Song, Filippos Anagnostakis, Zhijian Yang, Ye Tian, Michael Duggan, Chunrui Zou, Yue Leng, Yi Cai, Wenjia Bai, Cynthia Fu, Michael S Rafii, Paul Aisen, Gao Shan Wang, Philip De Jager, Jian Zeng, Hamilton OH, Xia Zhou, Keenan A. Walker, Daniel Belsky, Andrew Zalesky, Eleanor M. Simonsick, Susan M. Resnick, Luigi Ferrucci, Christos Davatzikos, Junhao Wen
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Nature
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Trajectories of physical function and biological aging in generally healthy older adults with and without incident invasive cancer over a three-year follow-up: findings from the DO-HEALTH study
Abstract Cancer is associated with biological aging and functional decline; however, few studies have simultaneously examined objective changes in physical function and biological aging in older adults who develop cancer.
Prenatal famine exposure restricts genetic effects on birth weight with implications for metabolic disease risk
Abstract Prenatal growth is shaped by genetic and environmental influences. Prenatal exposure to famine, particularly later in gestation, stunts growth and leads to lower birth weight. Here, we evaluated the effect of prenatal famine exposure on the expression of genetic influences on birth weight and how this relationship shapes associations between the early environment and metabolic disease risk in later life.
Longitudinal changes in epigenetic clocks predict survival in the InCHIANTI cohort
Abstract Epigenetic clocks derived from DNA methylation patterns are among the most promising biomarkers of biological aging1,2,3,4,5,6,7, as they capture molecular signatures that predict morbidity and mortality beyond chronological age. Although cross-sectional assessments of epigenetic age have been linked consistently to health outcomes and lifespan, it remains unclear whether the rate of change in these clocks over time provides additional insight into aging trajectories.
A daily multivitamin slows the ticking of epigenetic clocks - Nature Medicine
Data show that nutrient supplementation can modify epigenetic clock-based measurements of biological age, a major advance for the supplement field; however, whether such interventions can increase healthspan remains an open question.
An unbiased comparison of 14 epigenetic clocks in relation to 174 incident disease outcomes
Abstract Epigenetic Clocks have been trained to predict chronological age, healthspan and lifespan. Such clocks are often analysed in relation to disease outcomes – typically using small datasets and a limited number of clocks. Here, we present a large-scale (n = 18,859), unbiased comparison of 14 widely used clocks as predictors of 174 incident disease outcomes and all-cause mortality over 10-years of follow up.
MRI-based multi-organ clocks for healthy aging and disease assessment - Nature Medicine
Abstract Biological aging clocks across organ systems and tissues have advanced understanding of human aging and disease. In this study, we expand this framework to develop seven magnetic resonance imaging-based multi-organ biological age gaps (MRIBAGs), including the brain, heart, liver, adipose tissue, spleen, kidney and pancreas.
How to measure biological aging in humans - Nature Medicine
We were intrigued by the article by M. Arfan Ikram regarding the purported ‘misuse’ of biological aging, recently published in Nature Medicine1. We are grateful to the author for raising this important issue but would like to offer a counterpoint to enrich the scientific dialogue on this topic.
Challenges and recommendations for the translation of biomarkers of aging - Nature Aging
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Abstract Biomarkers of aging (BOA) are quantitative parameters that predict biological age and ideally its changes in response to interventions. In recent years, many promising molecular and omic BOA have emerged with an enormous potential for translational geroscience and improving healthspan. However, clinical translation remains limited, in part due to the gap between preclinical research and the application of BOA in clinical research and other translational settings.
By Jesse R. Poganik, Daniel Belsky, Joe LaCroix Verified, Alan Cohen, Steven R. Cummings, Luigi Ferrucci, David Furman, Albert T. Higgins-Chen, Steve Horvath, Jamie Justice, Douglas P Kiel, George A. Kuchel, Jessica Lasky-Su, Nathan K. LeBrasseur, Andrea B. Maier, Birgit Schilling, Vittorio Sebastiano, P. Eline Slagboom, Michael Snyder, Eric Verdin, Alex Zhavoronkov
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Nature
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Longitudinal changes in epigenetic clocks predict survival in the InCHIANTI cohort
The work is supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Aging. The Regents of the University of California is the owner of patent applications directed at epigenetic clocks for which SH and ATL are named inventors. SH is a founder and paid consultant of the nonprofit Epigenetic Clock Development Foundation that licenses these patents. DWB is an inventor of the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock, a Duke Univeristy and University of Otago invention licensed to TruDiagnostic.
Author Correction: Accelerated biological aging elevates the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity and mortality - Nature Cardiovascular Research
Correction to: Nature Cardiovascular Research https://doi.org/10.1038/s44161-024-00438-8, published online 1 March 2024 In the version of this article initially published, there was a typo in the National Key Research and Development Program of China grant number now reading “2023YFC3603400” in the HTML and PDF versions of the article. About this article Jiang, M., Tian, S., Liu, S. et al.
Accelerated biological aging six decades after prenatal famine exposure | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Accelerated biological aging six decades after prenatal famine exposure Mengling Cheng https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2786-8283, Dalton Conley https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5174-7222, Tom Kuipers, +10 , Chihua Li https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0933-8425, Calen P. Ryan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0550-7949, M. Jazmin Taeubert https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8442-3929, Shuang Wang, Tian Wang, Jiayi Zhou, Lauren L. Schmitz https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1641-289X, Elmar W.
Associations of seven measures of biological age acceleration with frailty and all-cause mortality among adult survivors of childhood cancer in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort | Nature Cancer
Abstract Survivors of childhood cancer may experience accelerated biological aging, resulting in premature frailty and death.
Accelerated biological aging elevates the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity and mortality - Nature Cardiovascular Research
Abstract Associations of biological aging with the development and mortality of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) remain unclear. Here we conducted a multistate analysis in 341,159 adults of the UK Biobank. CMM was defined as the coexistence of two or three cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), including type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease and stroke. Biological aging was measured using the Klemera–Doubal Method Biological Age and PhenoAge algorithms.
Validation of biomarkers of aging - Nature Medicine
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Abstract The search for biomarkers that quantify biological aging (particularly ‘omic’-based biomarkers) has intensified in recent years. Such biomarkers could predict aging-related outcomes and could serve as surrogate endpoints for the evaluation of interventions promoting healthy aging and longevity. However, no consensus exists on how biomarkers of aging should be validated before their translation to the clinic.
By Chiara Herzog, Jesse R. Poganik, Kejun Ying, Daniel Belsky, Albert T. Higgins-Chen, Alan Cohen, Sara Hägg, Riccardo E Marioni, Martin Widschwendter, Jessica Lasky-Su, Douglas P Kiel, Brian Kennedy, Steven R. Cummings, P. Eline Slagboom, Eric Verdin, Michael Snyder, Vadim N. Gladyshev, Steve Horvath
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Nature
Verified
Arsenic Exposure and Epigenetic Aging: The Association with Cardiovascular Disease and All-Cause Mortality in the Strong Heart Study
Research Article : Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 131, Issue 12 CID: 127016 Introduction Exposure to inorganic arsenic (As), a toxic and carcinogenic metalloid, is a pervasive global health problem.
To promote healthy aging, focus on the environment - Nature Aging
Abstract To build health equity for an aging world marked by dramatic disparities in healthy lifespan between countries, regions and population groups, research at the intersections of biology, toxicology and the social and behavioral sciences points the way: to promote healthy aging, focus on the environment. In this Perspective, we suggest that ideas and tools from the emerging field of geroscience offer opportunities to advance the environmental science of aging.
Author Correction: Accelerated biological aging and risk of depression and anxiety: evidence from 424,299 UK Biobank participants - Nature Communications
Correction to: Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38013-7, published online 20 April 2023 The original version of this Article contained an error in the ‘Measurements of covariates’ part of the Methods section, which omitted the following sentence detailing inclusion criteria: ‘Additional participants with ≥140 mmHg SBP and/or ≥90 mmHg SBP at the enrolment were also included as individuals with hypertension at baseline’.
Biomarkers of aging for the identification and evaluation of longevity interventions
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Accelerated biological aging and risk of depression and anxiety: evidence from 424,299 UK Biobank participants - Nature Communications
Study design and population UK Biobank research has received approval from the North West Multicenter Research Ethical Committee. Written informed consent were provided by all participants. UK Biobank is an ongoing prospective study with 502,536 participants recruited in 2006–2010 at the age of 37–73 years (baseline survey) with multiple follow-ups38. At baseline, participants were asked to provide information on their lifestyle and health, and their biological samples were collected.
Childhood adversity in mothers is associated with accelerated epigenetic aging in pregnancy and in male newborns
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DunedinPACE, a DNA methylation biomarker of the pace of aging
Abstract Background: Measures to quantify changes in the pace of biological aging in response to intervention are needed to evaluate geroprotective interventions for humans. Previously we showed that quantification of the pace of biological aging from a DNA-methylation blood test was possible (Belsky et al. 2020). Here we report a next-generation DNA-methylation biomarker of Pace of Aging, DunedinPACE (for Pace of Aging Calculated from the Epigenome).
Socioeconomic Disadvantage and the Pace of Biological Aging in Children
Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Children who grow up in socioeconomic disadvantage face increased burden of disease and disability throughout their lives. One hypothesized mechanism for this increased burden is that early-life disadvantage accelerates biological processes of aging, increasing vulnerability to subsequent disease.
Socioeconomic Disadvantage and the Pace of Biological Aging in Children
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Analysis of socioeconomic disadvantage and pace of aging measured in saliva DNA methylation of children and adolescents
Abstract Children who grow up in socioeconomically disadvantaged families face increased burden of disease and disability as they mature into adulthood. One hypothesized mechanism for this increased burden is that early-life disadvantage and its associated psychological stress accelerate biological processes of aging, increasing vulnerability to subsequent disease.
A polygenic score for age‐at‐first‐birth predicts disinhibition
Abstract Background A recent genome‐wide association study identified molecular‐genetic associations with age‐at‐first‐birth. However, the meaning of these genetic discoveries is unclear. Drawing on evidence linking early pregnancy with disinhibitory behavior, we tested the hypothesis that genetic discoveries for age‐at‐first‐birth predict disinhibition.
Lest we forget: comparing retrospective and prospective assessments of adverse childhood experiences in the prediction of adult health
Original Article Aaron Reuben Corresponding Author E-mail address: aaron.reuben@duke.edu Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA Correspondence Aaron Reuben, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Email: aaron.reuben@duke.edu Search for more papers by this author Terrie E.
A polygenic score for age‐at‐first‐birth predicts disinhibition
Abstract Background A recent genome‐wide association study identified molecular‐genetic associations with age‐at‐first‐birth. However, the meaning of these genetic discoveries is unclear. Drawing on evidence linking early pregnancy with disinhibitory behavior, we tested the hypothesis that genetic discoveries for age‐at‐first‐birth predict disinhibition.
Genetic associations with mathematics tracking and persistence in secondary school
Abstract Maximizing the flow of students through the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) pipeline is important to promoting human capital development and reducing economic inequality. A critical juncture in the STEM pipeline is the highly cumulative sequence of secondary school math courses. Students from disadvantaged schools are less likely to complete advanced math courses.
Genetics and the geography of health, behaviour and attainment
Abstract Young people’s life chances can be predicted by characteristics of their neighbourhood1. Children growing up in disadvantaged neighbourhoods exhibit worse physical and mental health and suffer poorer educational and economic outcomes than children growing up in advantaged neighbourhoods.
Genetic Associations with Mathematics Tracking and Persistence in Secondary School
New Results K. Paige Harden, Benjamin W. Domingue, Daniel W. Belsky, Jason D. Boardman, Robert Crosnoe, Margherita Malanchini, Michel Nivard, Elliot M. Tucker-Drob, Kathleen Mullan Harris doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/598532 Abstract Maximizing the flow of students through the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) pipeline is important to promoting human capital development and reducing economic inequality1.
A toolkit for quantification of biological age from blood chemistry and organ function test data: BioAge
doi: 10.1007/s11357-021-00480-5. Affiliations Affiliations 1 Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA. 2 Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA. 3 Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA. db3275@cumc.columbia.edu.
Genetics & the Geography of Health, Behavior, and Attainment
Genetics & the Geography of Health, Behavior, and Attainment Daniel W Belsky, Avshalom Caspi, Louise Arseneault, David Corcoran, Benjamin W Domingue, Kathleen Mullan Harris, Renate Houts, Jonathan Mill, Terrie E Moffitt, Joseph Prinz, Karen Sugden, Jasmin Wertz, Benjamin Williams, Candice Odgers bioRxiv 376897; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/376897
Lest we forget: comparing retrospective and prospective assessments of adverse childhood experiences in the prediction of adult health
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; e.g. abuse, neglect, and parental loss) have been associated with increased risk for later‐life disease and dysfunction using adults’ retrospective self‐reports of ACEs. Research should test whether associations between ACEs and health outcomes are the same for prospective and retrospective ACE measures.
Predicting education from DNA?
by Kathryn Paige Harden and Daniel W. Belsky July 27, 2018 / 4 Comments “Are these predictions from DNA of how far a person gets in school strong or weak?” This question from Antonio Regalado, a science reporter from MIT Technology Review, captures how confusing new discoveries in social science genetics can be, even to experts.
Quantification of biological aging in young adults
The global population is aging, driving up age-related disease morbidity. Antiaging interventions are needed to reduce the burden of disease and protect population productivity. Young people are the most attractive targets for therapies to extend healthspan (because it is still possible to prevent disease in the young). However, there is skepticism about whether aging processes can be detected in young adults who do not yet have chronic diseases.
Genetic analysis of social-class mobility in five longitudinal studies | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Genetic analysis of social-class mobility in five longitudinal studies Daniel W. Belsky https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5463-2212 dbelsky@duke.edu, Benjamin W. Domingue https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3894-9049, Robbee Wedow https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3108-7087, +11 , Louise Arseneault, Jason D. Boardman, Avshalom Caspi, Dalton Conley https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5174-7222, Jason M. Fletcher https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8843-0563, Jeremy Freese, Pamela Herd, Terrie E.
Genetic analysis of social-class mobility in five longitudinal studies
SignificanceGenome-wide association study (GWAS) discoveries about educational attainment have raised questions about the meaning of the genetics of success. These discoveries could offer clues about biological mechanisms or, because children inherit genetics and social class from parents, education-linked genetics could be spurious correlates of socially transmitted advantages. To distinguish between these hypotheses, we studied social mobility in five cohorts from three countries.
Cumulative childhood risk is associated with a new measure of chronic inflammation in adulthood
Childhood risk factors are associated with elevated inflammatory biomarkers in adulthood, but it is unknown whether these risk factors are associated with increased adult levels of the chronic inflammation marker soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). We aimed to test the hypothesis that childhood exposure to risk factors for adult disease is associated with elevated suPAR in adulthood and to compare suPAR with the oft‐reported inflammatory biomarker C‐reactive protein (CRP).
A gradient of childhood self-control predicts health, wealth, and public safety
AbstractPolicy-makers are considering large-scale programs aimed at self-control to improve citizens’ health and wealth and reduce crime. Experimental and economic studies suggest such programs could reap benefits. Yet, is self-control important for the health, wealth, and public safety of the population?
A Polygenic Score for Higher Educational Attainment is Associated with Larger Brains
A Polygenic Score for Higher Educational Attainment is Associated with Larger Brains Maxwell L Elliott, Daniel W Belsky, Kevin Anderson, David L Corcoran, Tian Ge, Annchen Knodt, Joseph A Prinz, Karen Sugden, Benamin Williams, David Ireland, Richie Poulton, Avshalom Caspi, Avram Holmes, Terrie Moffitt, Ahmad R Hariri bioRxiv 287490; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/287490
Credit scores, cardiovascular disease risk, and human capital
SignificanceCredit scoring is expanding into domains beyond lending. Today, credit scores are used by employers, utility companies, and automobile insurers to index high-risk behavior. Life insurance companies even incorporate credit scores into actuarial models. This expansion is controversial, as it is unclear what personal attributes credit scores capture. Following 1,000 individuals from birth to midlife, we show that low credit scores predict cardiovascular disease risk.
Analysis of DNA Methylation in Young People: Limited Evidence for an Association Between Victimization Stress and Epigenetic Variation in Blood
DNA methylation has been proposed as an epigenetic mechanism by which early-life experiences become “embedded” in the genome and alter transcriptional processes to compromise health. The authors sought to investigate whether early-life victimization stress is associated with genome-wide DNA methylation.
Father Absence And Accelerated Reproductive Development
Father Absence And Accelerated Reproductive Development Lauren Gaydosh, Daniel W. Belsky, Benjamin W. Domingue, Jason D. Boardman, Kathleen Mullan Harris bioRxiv 123711; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/123711
Association of Childhood Blood Lead Levels With Cognitive Function and Socioeconomic Status at Age 38 Years and With IQ Change and Socioeconomic Mobility Between Childhood and Adulthood | Child Development | JAMA | JAMA Network
Figure 1. Distribution of Blood Lead Levels at Age 11 Years in Dunedin Cohort Grouped by Socioeconomic Status Box and whisker plots and histograms depict the distribution of childhood blood lead levels for participants from families of low–, middle–, and high–socioeconomic status based on the 6-point Elley-Irving scale (categories 1 and 2 [low status], 3 and 4 [middle status], 5 and 6 [high status]), which codes participants’ parents’ occupations and their associated income and education levels.
The social genome: Current findings and implications for the study of human genetics
Citation: Domingue BW, Belsky DW (2017) The social genome: Current findings and implications for the study of human genetics. PLoS Genet 13(3): e1006615. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1006615 Editor: Gregory P. Copenhaver, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNITED STATES Copyright: © 2017 Domingue, Belsky.
Is Adult ADHD a Childhood-Onset Neurodevelopmental Disorder? Evidence From a Four-Decade Longitudinal Cohort Study
Despite a prevailing assumption that adult ADHD is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder, no prospective longitudinal study has described the childhoods of the adult ADHD population. The authors report follow-back analyses of ADHD cases diagnosed in adulthood, alongside follow-forward analyses of ADHD cases diagnosed in childhood, in one cohort.
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