Author Correction: Sleep chart of biological ageing clocks in middle and late life

A correction has been issued regarding a study published in Nature on May 13, 2026, which examined the relationship between sleep patterns and biological aging in middle and later life. The original paper, titled “Sleep chart of biological ageing clocks in middle and late life,” was found to have omitted references to two key prior studies conducted by the same research team. These studies, published in 2022 and 2025, explored the complex interplay between sleep duration, cognitive function, mental health, and the biological pathways connecting sleep habits to overall well-being. The missing references pertain to works led by researchers including Yi Li, who investigated how variations in sleep duration affect brain structure and genetic factors associated with cognition and mental health. In one study, they demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between sleep and cognitive performance, while another focused on divergent biological mechanisms through which both short and prolonged sleep durations impact physical and psychological health. Both papers were published in prestigious journals, Nature Aging and Nature Mental Health, and contributed foundational insights into the role of sleep in aging processes. The corrected version of the original Nature paper acknowledges these contributions and adds them to its reference list. The authors, a multidisciplinary group of scientists from institutions such as Columbia University, the University of Melbourne, the National Institute on Aging, and others, emphasize the importance of integrating findings from earlier work to better understand the multifaceted nature of sleep's influence on aging. This collaborative effort spans multiple disciplines, including neuroscience, genetics, psychiatry, radiology, and computational science. Among the lead authors are Cliodhna Kate O’Toole, Zhiyuan Song, and Filippos Anagnostakis from Columbia University’s Laboratory of AI and Biomedical Science, alongside Ye Ella Tian and Andrew Zalesky from the University of Melbourne. Other contributors include Michael R. Duggan and Keenan A. Walker from the National Institute on Aging, and Cynthia H. Y. Fu, whose affiliations span several leading research centers in London and the United Kingdom. Notably, Junhao Wen appears as a co-author in multiple capacities, including roles in neurology and biomedical engineering at Columbia University. The study builds upon a growing body of evidence suggesting that sleep quality and quantity serve as critical indicators of biological age. Researchers have previously linked disrupted sleep patterns to accelerated cellular aging, increased inflammation, and heightened risk of neurodegenerative diseases. By incorporating data from earlier studies, this latest work aims to refine models of biological aging and provide more accurate predictions of individual health trajectories based on sleep behavior. The inclusion of additional references reflects a commitment to scientific integrity and transparency. It underscores the dynamic nature of research, where new discoveries often build upon, and sometimes correct, the findings of previous investigations. As the field continues to evolve, such corrections play a vital role in ensuring that the scientific record remains robust and reliable. Looking ahead, the research team plans to expand their analysis using longitudinal datasets and advanced imaging techniques to further explore the links between sleep and aging. They hope to contribute to the development of personalized interventions aimed at mitigating age-related decline through improved sleep hygiene and targeted therapeutic strategies.