Published on: Jun 09, 2025
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) introduces a novel blood-based proteomic signature that predicts how long individuals are likely to remain in good health—a concept known as healthspan. Developed by researchers at the UConn School of Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Helsinki and the University of Exeter (UK), the Healthspan Proteomic Score (HPS) emerges as a powerful new biomarker for understanding biological aging and assessing the risk of multiple chronic diseases.
Drawing on proteomic data from over 53,000 participants in the UK Biobank, the researchers identified a set of proteins that collectively reflect biological health. Individuals with a lower HPS—indicating unfavorable protein expression patterns—faced significantly higher risks of mortality and age-related conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, dementia, and stroke. These associations held even after adjusting for chronological age and other health factors. The score was also independently validated in a Finnish cohort, where it outperformed existing biological aging measures.
Our study highlights the need to focus on healthspan, not just lifespan,” said Dr. Chia-Ling Kuo, lead author and associate professor of Public Health Sciences at UConn School of Medicine and The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering. “The HPS identifies early biological changes and could help guide strategies for promoting healthier aging.”
Dr. Breno S. Diniz, senior author and associate professor of Psychiatry at UConn School of Medicine and the UConn Center on Aging, added, “HPS integrates proteomic markers of biological aging to help pinpoint individuals at risk for age-related diseases and to inform personalized prevention.”
While aging is a universal process, its rate and effects vary widely. Aligned with the Precision Gerontology mission of the NIA-funded UConn Older Americans Independence Pepper Center, this research supports the idea that aging can be quantified and potentially influenced. The HPS could serve as a surrogate outcome in clinical trials targeting aging and age-related decline, helping to evaluate new therapies and preventive interventions aimed at extending years of healthy life.
The team is now working to test the HPS in clinical trial settings. Although not yet available for routine use, this study lays essential groundwork for future tools to monitor and promote healthier aging for individuals and healthcare providers alike.
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