An international group of scientists has discovered that accelerated biological aging is associated with a decline in cognitive abilities, which becomes more evident. This is especially apparent in individuals growing up in low-income families.
The study was published in the journal “Aging.”
The researchers applied a method called “epigenetic clocks.” These clocks are based on specific chemical markers in DNA that allow estimating a person’s biological age. If the biological age is higher than the passport age, this is considered “accelerated aging.” The analysis included approximately 300 participants whose IQ levels were measured in childhood and retested in middle age, along with blood samples taken.
It was found that newly developed “second-generation” epigenetic clocks (“PhenoAge” and “GrimAge”), designed considering disease and mortality risks, predict IQ decline until the age of 50 more accurately. Interestingly, this effect was preserved even among identical twins raised in the same family: the individual with the higher biological age exhibited a greater decline in cognitive functions.
The greatest vulnerability was identified in individuals from low-income families, as the authors believe early social stress amplifies the long-term effects of accelerated aging.
The scientists emphasize that this work shows that monitoring biological age based on DNA and taking early social environment into account can help more accurately assess the risks of dementia and other age-related cognitive impairments. (lent.az)
