Chronological Age and Biological Age: Relevance in Multiple Sclerosis
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Chronological age (C-Age), determined by the time elapsed since the birth of an individual, is considered as one of the main risk factors for the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) and for its prognosis. On the other hand, biological age (B-age), conditioned by genetic, lifestyle, comorbidity, and environmental factors, defines the aging of tissues that contributes to the decline of organ function, the loss of functional reserve, and decrease in the regenerative capacity. In this context immunosenescence is increasing evidence as a factor that contributes to MS progressive course and loss of efficacy to MS drugs. B-Age can be estimated through different measurement strategies such as telomere-length, epigenetic-clocks and biomarker-composites. These biomarkers are gaining attention in MS since they seem to be associated with disability progression and are modulated by lifestyle changes.