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Thomas A, Ryan CP, Caspi A, Liu Z, Moffitt TE, Sugden K, Zhou J, Belsky DW, Gu Y. Diet, Pace of Biological Aging, and Risk of Dementia in the Framingham Heart Study. Ann Neurol 2024; 95:1069-1079. [PMID: 38407506 PMCID: PMC11102315 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE People who eat healthier diets are less likely to develop dementia, but the biological mechanism of this protection is not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that healthy diet protects against dementia because it slows the pace of biological aging. METHODS We analyzed Framingham Offspring Cohort data. We included participants ≥60 years-old, free of dementia and having dietary, epigenetic, and follow-up data. We assessed healthy diet as long-term adherence to the Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet (MIND, over 4 visits spanning 1991-2008). We measured the pace of aging from blood DNA methylation data collected in 2005-2008 using the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock. Incident dementia and mortality were defined using study records compiled from 2005 to 2008 visit through 2018. RESULTS Of n = 1,644 included participants (mean age 69.6, 54% female), n = 140 developed dementia and n = 471 died over 14 years of follow-up. Greater MIND score was associated with slower DunedinPACE and reduced risks for dementia and mortality. Slower DunedinPACE was associated with reduced risks for dementia and mortality. In mediation analysis, slower DunedinPACE accounted for 27% of the diet-dementia association and 57% of the diet-mortality association. INTERPRETATION Findings suggest that slower pace of aging mediates part of the relationship of healthy diet with reduced dementia risk. Monitoring pace of aging may inform dementia prevention. However, a large fraction of the diet-dementia association remains unexplained and may reflect direct connections between diet and brain aging that do not overlap other organ systems. Investigation of brain-specific mechanisms in well-designed mediation studies is warranted. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:1069-1079.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Thomas
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Calen P. Ryan
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Terrie E. Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Karen Sugden
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Jiayi Zhou
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel W. Belsky
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Joseph P. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Yian Gu
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Fan J, Liu Q, Liu X, Gong M, Leong II, Tsang Y, Xu X, Lei S, Duan L, Zhang Y, Liao M, Zhuang L. The effect of epigenetic aging on neurodegenerative diseases: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1372518. [PMID: 38800486 PMCID: PMC11116635 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1372518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Aging has always been considered as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, but there are individual differences and its mechanism is not yet clear. Epigenetics may unveil the relationship between aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods Our study employed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design to assess the potential causal association between epigenetic aging and neurodegenerative diseases. We utilized publicly available summary datasets from several genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Our investigation focused on multiple measures of epigenetic age as potential exposures and outcomes, while the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases served as potential exposures and outcomes. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the accuracy of the results. Results The results show a significant decrease in risk of Parkinson's disease with GrimAge (OR = 0.8862, 95% CI 0.7914-0.9924, p = 0.03638). Additionally, we identified that HannumAge was linked to an increased risk of Multiple Sclerosis (OR = 1.0707, 95% CI 1.0056-1.1401, p = 0.03295). Furthermore, we also found that estimated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) levels demonstrated an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (OR = 1.0001, 95% CI 1.0000-1.0002, p = 0.04425). Beyond that, we did not observe any causal associations between epigenetic age and neurodegenerative diseases risk. Conclusion The findings firstly provide evidence for causal association of epigenetic aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Exploring neurodegenerative diseases from an epigenetic perspective may contribute to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqi Fan
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengjiao Gong
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ian I. Leong
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - YauKeung Tsang
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Xu
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suying Lei
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lining Duan
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Institute of Neurology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Muxi Liao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lixing Zhuang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Graves AJ, Danoff JS, Kim M, Brindley SR, Skyberg AM, Giamberardino SN, Lynch ME, Straka BC, Lillard TS, Gregory SG, Connelly JJ, Morris JP. Accelerated epigenetic age is associated with whole-brain functional connectivity and impaired cognitive performance in older adults. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9646. [PMID: 38671048 PMCID: PMC11053089 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60311-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
While chronological age is a strong predictor for health-related risk factors, it is an incomplete metric that fails to fully characterize the unique aging process of individuals with different genetic makeup, neurodevelopment, and environmental experiences. Recent advances in epigenomic array technologies have made it possible to generate DNA methylation-based biomarkers of biological aging, which may be useful in predicting a myriad of cognitive abilities and functional brain network organization across older individuals. It is currently unclear which cognitive domains are negatively correlated with epigenetic age above and beyond chronological age, and it is unknown if functional brain organization is an important mechanism for explaining these associations. In this study, individuals with accelerated epigenetic age (i.e. AgeAccelGrim) performed worse on tasks that spanned a wide variety of cognitive faculties including both fluid and crystallized intelligence (N = 103, average age = 68.98 years, 73 females, 30 males). Additionally, fMRI connectome-based predictive models suggested a mediating mechanism of functional connectivity on epigenetic age acceleration-cognition associations primarily in medial temporal lobe and limbic structures. This research highlights the important role of epigenetic aging processes on the development and maintenance of healthy cognitive capacities and function of the aging brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Minah Kim
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA
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Campisi M, Cannella L, Celik D, Gabelli C, Gollin D, Simoni M, Ruaro C, Fantinato E, Pavanello S. Mitigating cellular aging and enhancing cognitive functionality: visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy in neurocognitive disorders. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1354025. [PMID: 38524114 PMCID: PMC10957554 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1354025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing phenomenon of population aging is redefining demographic dynamics, intensifying age-related conditions, especially dementia, projected to triple by 2050 with an enormous global economic burden. This study investigates visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy (CAT) as a non-pharmacological CAT intervention targets both biological aging [leukocyte telomere length (LTL), DNA methylation age (DNAmAge)] and cognitive functionality. Aligning with a broader trend of integrating non-pharmacological approaches into dementia care. The longitudinal study involved 20 patients with mild to moderate neurocognitive disorders. Cognitive and functional assessments, and biological aging markers -i.e., LTL and DNAmAge- were analyzed before and after CAT intervention. Change in LTL was positively correlated with days of treatment (p =0.0518). LTL significantly elongated after intervention (p =0.0269), especially in men (p =0.0142), correlating with younger age (p =0.0357), and higher education (p =0.0008). DNAmAge remained instead stable post-treatment. Cognitive and functional improvements were observed for Copy of complex geometric figure, Progressive Silhouettes, Position Discrimination, Communication Activities of Daily Living-Second edition, Direct Functional Status (p < 0.0001) and Object decision (p =0.0594), but no correlations were found between LTL and cognitive gains. Visual arts-mediated CAT effectively mitigates cellular aging, especially in men, by elongating LTL. These findings underscore the potential of non-pharmacological interventions in enhancing cognitive and functional status and general well-being in dementia care. Further research with larger and longer-term studies is essential for validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Campisi
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luana Cannella
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Dilek Celik
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Gabelli
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Donata Gollin
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Simoni
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Ruaro
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Fantinato
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sofia Pavanello
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Diniz BS, Seitz-Holland J, Sehgal R, Kasamoto J, Higgins-Chen AT, Lenze E. Geroscience-Centric Perspective for Geriatric Psychiatry: Integrating Aging Biology With Geriatric Mental Health Research. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 32:1-16. [PMID: 37845116 PMCID: PMC10841054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The geroscience hypothesis asserts that physiological aging is caused by a small number of biological pathways. Despite the explosion of geroscience research over the past couple of decades, the research on how serious mental illnesses (SMI) affects the biological aging processes is still in its infancy. In this review, we aim to provide a critical appraisal of the emerging literature focusing on how we measure biological aging systematically, and in the brain and how SMIs affect biological aging measures in older adults. We will also review recent developments in the field of cellular senescence and potential targets for interventions for SMIs in older adults, based on the geroscience hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breno S Diniz
- UConn Center on Aging & Department of Psychiatry (BSD), School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT.
| | - Johanna Seitz-Holland
- Department of Psychiatry (JSH), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry (JSH), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Raghav Sehgal
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (RS, JK), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Jessica Kasamoto
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (RS, JK), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Albert T Higgins-Chen
- Department of Psychiatry (ATHC), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Pathology (ATHC), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Eric Lenze
- Department of Psychiatry (EL), School of Medicine, Washington University at St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
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Zhang Z, Liu N, Pan X, Zhang C, Yang Y, Li X, Shao Y. Assessing causal associations between neurodegenerative diseases and neurological tumors with biological aging: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1321246. [PMID: 38169680 PMCID: PMC10758410 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1321246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Aging is a significant risk factor for many neurodegenerative diseases and neurological tumors. Previous studies indicate that the frailty index, facial aging, telomere length (TL), and epigenetic aging clock acceleration are commonly used biological aging proxy indicators. This study aims to comprehensively explore potential relationships between biological aging and neurodegenerative diseases and neurological tumors by integrating various biological aging proxy indicators, employing Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods Two-sample bidirectional MR analyses were conducted using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. Summary statistics for various neurodegenerative diseases and neurological tumors, along with biological aging proxy indicators, were obtained from extensive meta-analyses of GWAS. Genetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the exposures were used as instrumental variables, assessing causal relationships between three neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), two benign neurological tumors (vestibular schwannoma and meningioma), one malignant neurological tumor (glioma), and four biological aging indicators (frailty index, facial aging, TL, and epigenetic aging clock acceleration). Sensitivity analyses were also performed. Results Our analysis revealed that genetically predicted longer TL reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease but increases the risk of vestibular schwannoma and glioma (All Glioma, GBM, non-GBM). In addition, there is a suggestive causal relationship between some diseases (PD and GBM) and DNA methylation GrimAge acceleration. Causal relationships between biological aging proxy indicators and other neurodegenerative diseases and neurological tumors were not observed. Conclusion Building upon prior investigations into the causal relationships between telomeres and neurodegenerative diseases and neurological tumors, our study validates these findings using larger GWAS data and demonstrates, for the first time, that Parkinson's disease and GBM may promote epigenetic age acceleration. Our research provides new insights and evidence into the causal relationships between biological aging and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and neurological tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyun Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ningfang Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xuyang Pan
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chuyi Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yifan Yang
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xinyun Li
- Infection Department, The First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ying Shao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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7
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Yang T, Xiao Y, Cheng Y, Huang J, Wei Q, Li C, Shang H. Epigenetic clocks in neurodegenerative diseases: a systematic review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:1064-1070. [PMID: 36963821 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological ageing is one of the principal risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases. It is becoming increasingly clear that acceleration of DNA methylation age, as measured by the epigenetic clock, is closely associated with many age-related diseases. METHODS We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases to identify eligible studies reporting epigenetic clocks in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington's disease (HD). RESULTS Twenty-three studies (12 for AD, 4 for PD, 5 for ALS, and 2 for HD) were included. We systematically summarised the clinical utility of 11 epigenetic clocks (based on blood and brain tissues) in assessing the risk factors, age of onset, diagnosis, progression, prognosis and pathology of AD, PD, ALS and HD. We also critically described our current understandings to these evidences, and further discussed key challenges, potential mechanisms and future perspectives of epigenetic ageing in neurodegenerative diseases. CONCLUSIONS Epigenetic clocks hold great potential in neurodegenerative diseases. Further research is encouraged to evaluate the clinical utility and promote the application. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022365233.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianmi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yangfan Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jingxuan Huang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqian Wei
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Salvioli S, Basile MS, Bencivenga L, Carrino S, Conte M, Damanti S, De Lorenzo R, Fiorenzato E, Gialluisi A, Ingannato A, Antonini A, Baldini N, Capri M, Cenci S, Iacoviello L, Nacmias B, Olivieri F, Rengo G, Querini PR, Lattanzio F. Biomarkers of aging in frailty and age-associated disorders: State of the art and future perspective. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 91:102044. [PMID: 37647997 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
According to the Geroscience concept that organismal aging and age-associated diseases share the same basic molecular mechanisms, the identification of biomarkers of age that can efficiently classify people as biologically older (or younger) than their chronological (i.e. calendar) age is becoming of paramount importance. These people will be in fact at higher (or lower) risk for many different age-associated diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, cancer, etc. In turn, patients suffering from these diseases are biologically older than healthy age-matched individuals. Many biomarkers that correlate with age have been described so far. The aim of the present review is to discuss the usefulness of some of these biomarkers (especially soluble, circulating ones) in order to identify frail patients, possibly before the appearance of clinical symptoms, as well as patients at risk for age-associated diseases. An overview of selected biomarkers will be discussed in this regard, in particular we will focus on biomarkers related to metabolic stress response, inflammation, and cell death (in particular in neurodegeneration), all phenomena connected to inflammaging (chronic, low-grade, age-associated inflammation). In the second part of the review, next-generation markers such as extracellular vesicles and their cargos, epigenetic markers and gut microbiota composition, will be discussed. Since recent progresses in omics techniques have allowed an exponential increase in the production of laboratory data also in the field of biomarkers of age, making it difficult to extract biological meaning from the huge mass of available data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches will be discussed as an increasingly important strategy for extracting knowledge from raw data and providing practitioners with actionable information to treat patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Salvioli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - Leonardo Bencivenga
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Sara Carrino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Conte
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sarah Damanti
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Rebecca De Lorenzo
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Eleonora Fiorenzato
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Center for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gialluisi
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS NEUROMED, Pozzilli, Italy; EPIMED Research Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Assunta Ingannato
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Angelo Antonini
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Center for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND), Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research (CESNE), Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Baldini
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Miriam Capri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Cenci
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
| | - Licia Iacoviello
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS NEUROMED, Pozzilli, Italy; EPIMED Research Center, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabiola Olivieri
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Clinic of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rengo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy; Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Telese Terme, Telese Terme, Italy
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Grzeczka A, Graczyk S, Kordowitzki P. DNA Methylation and Telomeres-Their Impact on the Occurrence of Atrial Fibrillation during Cardiac Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15699. [PMID: 37958686 PMCID: PMC10650750 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in humans. AF is characterized by irregular and increased atrial muscle activation. This high-frequency activation obliterates the synchronous work of the atria and ventricles, reducing myocardial performance, which can lead to severe heart failure or stroke. The risk of developing atrial fibrillation depends largely on the patient's history. Cardiovascular diseases are considered aging-related pathologies; therefore, deciphering the role of telomeres and DNA methylation (mDNA), two hallmarks of aging, is likely to contribute to a better understanding and prophylaxis of AF. In honor of Prof. Elizabeth Blackburn's 75th birthday, we dedicate this review to the discovery of telomeres and her contribution to research on aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pawel Kordowitzki
- Department for Basic and Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Szosa Bydgoska 13, 87-100 Torun, Poland
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Chien CF, Sung JL, Wang CP, Yen CW, Yang YH. Analyzing Facial Asymmetry in Alzheimer's Dementia Using Image-Based Technology. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2802. [PMID: 37893175 PMCID: PMC10604711 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated accelerated brain aging in Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Previous studies have also reported that facial asymmetry increases with age. Because obtaining facial images is much easier than obtaining brain images, the aim of this work was to investigate whether AD exhibits accelerated aging patterns in facial asymmetry. We developed new facial asymmetry measures to compare Alzheimer's patients with healthy controls. A three-dimensional camera was used to capture facial images, and 68 facial landmarks were identified using an open-source machine-learning algorithm called OpenFace. A standard image registration method was used to align the three-dimensional original and mirrored facial images. This study used the registration error, representing landmark superimposition asymmetry distances, to examine 29 pairs of landmarks to characterize facial asymmetry. After comparing the facial images of 150 patients with AD with those of 150 age- and sex-matched non-demented controls, we found that the asymmetry of 20 landmarks was significantly different in AD than in the controls (p < 0.05). The AD-linked asymmetry was concentrated in the face edge, eyebrows, eyes, nostrils, and mouth. Facial asymmetry evaluation may thus serve as a tool for the detection of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Fang Chien
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Li Sung
- Department of Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Pang Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Wen Yen
- Department of Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan
- Department of and Master’s Program in Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Han Yang
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Department of and Master’s Program in Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
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11
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Whitman ET, Ryan CP, Abraham WC, Addae A, Corcoran DL, Elliott ML, Hogan S, Ireland D, Keenan R, Knodt AR, Melzer TR, Poulton R, Ramrakha S, Sugden K, Williams BS, Zhou J, Hariri AR, Belsky DW, Moffitt TE, Caspi A. A blood biomarker of accelerated aging in the body associates with worse structural integrity in the brain: replication across three cohorts. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.06.23295140. [PMID: 37732266 PMCID: PMC10508789 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.06.23295140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Biological aging is the correlated decline of multi-organ system integrity central to the etiology of many age-related diseases. A novel epigenetic measure of biological aging, DunedinPACE, is associated with cognitive dysfunction, incident dementia, and mortality. Here, we tested for associations between DunedinPACE and structural MRI phenotypes in three datasets spanning midlife to advanced age: the Dunedin Study (age=45 years), the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort (mean age=63 years), and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (mean age=75 years). We also tested four additional epigenetic measures of aging: the Horvath clock, the Hannum clock, PhenoAge, and GrimAge. Across all datasets (total N observations=3,380; total N individuals=2,322), faster DunedinPACE was associated with lower total brain volume, lower hippocampal volume, and thinner cortex. In two datasets, faster DunedinPACE was associated with greater burden of white matter hyperintensities. Across all measures, DunedinPACE and GrimAge had the strongest and most consistent associations with brain phenotypes. Our findings suggest that single timepoint measures of multi-organ decline such as DunedinPACE could be useful for gauging nervous system health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan T Whitman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Calen P Ryan
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
| | | | - Angela Addae
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David L Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Maxwell L Elliott
- Department of Psychology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sean Hogan
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - David Ireland
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ross Keenan
- Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, Centre of Research Excellence, Universities of Auckland and Otago, New Zealand
- Christchurch Radiology Group, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Annchen R Knodt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tracy R Melzer
- Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, Centre of Research Excellence, Universities of Auckland and Otago, New Zealand
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Richie Poulton
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sandhya Ramrakha
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Karen Sugden
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Jiayi Zhou
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
| | - Ahmad R Hariri
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Daniel W Belsky
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
| | - Terrie E Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- King's College London, Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, London, UK
- PROMENTA, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- King's College London, Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience, London, UK
- PROMENTA, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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12
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Harrer P, Mirza-Schreiber N, Mandel V, Roeber S, Stefani A, Naher S, Wagner M, Gieger C, Waldenberger M, Peters A, Högl B, Herms J, Schormair B, Zhao C, Winkelmann J, Oexle K. Epigenetic Association Analyses and Risk Prediction of RLS. Mov Disord 2023; 38:1410-1418. [PMID: 37212434 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As opposed to other neurobehavioral disorders, epigenetic analyses and biomarkers are largely missing in the case of idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS). OBJECTIVES Our aims were to develop a biomarker for RLS based on DNA methylation in blood and to examine DNA methylation in brain tissues for dissecting RLS pathophysiology. METHODS Methylation of blood DNA from three independent cohorts (n = 2283) and post-mortem brain DNA from two cohorts (n = 61) was assessed by Infinium EPIC 850 K BeadChip. Epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) results of individual cohorts were combined by random-effect meta-analysis. A three-stage selection procedure (discovery, n = 884; testing, n = 520; validation, n = 879) established an epigenetic risk score including 30 CpG sites. Epigenetic age was assessed by Horvath's multi-tissue clock and Shireby's cortical clock. RESULTS EWAS meta-analysis revealed 149 CpG sites linked to 136 genes (P < 0.05 after Bonferroni correction) in blood and 23 CpG linked to 18 genes in brain (false discovery rate [FDR] < 5%). Gene-set analyses of blood EWAS results suggested enrichments in brain tissue types and in subunits of the kainate-selective glutamate receptor complex. Individual candidate genes of the brain EWAS could be assigned to neurodevelopmental or metabolic traits. The blood epigenetic risk score achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70 (0.67-0.73) in the validation set, comparable to analogous scores in other neurobehavioral disorders. A significant difference in biological age in blood or brain of RLS patients was not detectable. CONCLUSIONS DNA methylation supports the notion of altered neurodevelopment in RLS. Epigenetic risk scores are reliably associated with RLS but require even higher accuracy to be useful as biomarkers. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Harrer
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nazanin Mirza-Schreiber
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Neurogenetic Systems Analysis Group, Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Vanessa Mandel
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Neurogenetic Systems Analysis Group, Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Sigrun Roeber
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Ambra Stefani
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Shamsun Naher
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Neurogenetic Systems Analysis Group, Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Matias Wagner
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Gieger
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Waldenberger
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Epidemiology, Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Birgit Högl
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jochen Herms
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Barbara Schormair
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Chen Zhao
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Neurogenetic Systems Analysis Group, Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Juliane Winkelmann
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
- Chair of Neurogenetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Konrad Oexle
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Neurogenetic Systems Analysis Group, Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
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13
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Mareckova K, Pacinkova A, Marecek R, Sebejova L, Izakovicova Holla L, Klanova J, Brazdil M, Nikolova YS. Longitudinal study of epigenetic aging and its relationship with brain aging and cognitive skills in young adulthood. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1215957. [PMID: 37593374 PMCID: PMC10427722 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1215957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The proportion of older adults within society is sharply increasing and a better understanding of how we age starts to be critical. However, given the paucity of longitudinal studies with both neuroimaging and epigenetic data, it remains largely unknown whether the speed of the epigenetic clock changes over the life course and whether any such changes are proportional to changes in brain aging and cognitive skills. To fill these knowledge gaps, we conducted a longitudinal study of a prenatal birth cohort, studied epigenetic aging across adolescence and young adulthood, and evaluated its relationship with brain aging and cognitive outcomes. Methods DNA methylation was assessed using the Illumina EPIC Platform in adolescence, early and late 20 s, DNA methylation age was estimated using Horvath's epigenetic clock, and epigenetic age gap (EpiAGE) was calculated as DNA methylation age residualized for batch, chronological age and the proportion of epithelial cells. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was acquired in both the early 20 s and late 20 s using the same 3T Prisma MRI scanner and brain age was calculated using the Neuroanatomical Age Prediction using R (NAPR) platform. Cognitive skills were assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) in the late 20 s. Results The EpiAGE in adolescence, the early 20 s, and the late 20 s were positively correlated (r = 0.34-0.47), suggesting that EpiAGE is a relatively stable characteristic of an individual. Further, a faster pace of aging between the measurements was positively correlated with EpiAGE at the end of the period (r = 0.48-0.77) but negatively correlated with EpiAGE at the earlier time point (r = -0.42 to -0.55), suggesting a compensatory mechanism where late matures might be catching up with the early matures. Finally, higher positive EpiAGE showed small (Adj R2 = 0.03) but significant relationships with a higher positive brain age gap in all participants and lower full-scale IQ in young adult women in the late 20 s. Discussion We conclude that the EpiAGE is a relatively stable characteristic of an individual across adolescence and early adulthood, but that it shows only a small relationship with accelerated brain aging and a women-specific relationship with worse performance IQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Mareckova
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University (MU), Brno, Czechia
- 1 Department of Neurology, St. Anne’s University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Anna Pacinkova
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University (MU), Brno, Czechia
- Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Radek Marecek
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University (MU), Brno, Czechia
| | | | - Lydie Izakovicova Holla
- Department of Stomatology, St. Anne’s Univ. Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jana Klanova
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Milan Brazdil
- Brain and Mind Research, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University (MU), Brno, Czechia
- 1 Department of Neurology, St. Anne’s University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Yuliya S. Nikolova
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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14
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Murthy M, Rizzu P, Heutink P, Mill J, Lashley T, Bettencourt C. Epigenetic Age Acceleration in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: A Comprehensive Analysis in the Blood and Brain. Cells 2023; 12:1922. [PMID: 37508584 PMCID: PMC10378390 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) includes a heterogeneous group of disorders pathologically characterized by the degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes. In addition to major genetic contributors of FTLD such as mutations in MAPT, GRN, and C9orf72, recent work has identified several epigenetic modifications including significant differential DNA methylation in DLX1, and OTUD4 loci. As aging remains one of the major risk factors for FTLD, we investigated the presence of accelerated epigenetic aging in FTLD compared to controls. We calculated epigenetic age in both peripheral blood and brain tissues of multiple FTLD subtypes using several DNA methylation clocks, i.e., DNAmClockMulti, DNAmClockHannum, DNAmClockCortical, GrimAge, and PhenoAge, and determined age acceleration and its association with different cellular proportions and clinical traits. Significant epigenetic age acceleration was observed in the peripheral blood of both frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients compared to controls with DNAmClockHannum, even after accounting for confounding factors. A similar trend was observed with both DNAmClockMulti and DNAmClockCortical in post-mortem frontal cortex tissue of PSP patients and in FTLD cases harboring GRN mutations. Our findings support that increased epigenetic age acceleration in the peripheral blood could be an indicator for PSP and to a smaller extent, FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Murthy
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1PJ, UK (T.L.)
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Patrizia Rizzu
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Heutink
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Alector, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jonathan Mill
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 5DW, UK
| | - Tammaryn Lashley
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1PJ, UK (T.L.)
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Conceição Bettencourt
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1PJ, UK (T.L.)
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
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15
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Thomas A, Ryan CP, Caspi A, Moffitt TE, Sugden K, Zhou J, Belsky DW, Gu Y. Diet, pace of biological aging, and risk of dementia in the Framingham Heart Study. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.24.23290474. [PMID: 37398353 PMCID: PMC10312831 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.24.23290474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We tested the hypothesis that healthy diet protects against dementia because it slows the pace of biological aging. METHODS We analyzed Framingham Offspring Cohort data (≥60y). We measured healthy diet using the Dietary Guideline for Americans (DGA, 3 visits 1991-2008), pace of aging using the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock (2005-2008), and incident dementia and mortality using records (compiled 2005-2018). RESULTS Of n=1,525 included participants (mean age 69.7, 54% female), n=129 developed dementia and n=432 died over follow-up. Greater DGA adherence was associated with slower DunedinPACE and reduced risks for dementia and mortality. Slower DunedinPACE was associated with reduced risks for dementia and mortality. Slower DunedinPACE accounted for 15% of the DGA association with dementia and 39% of the DGA association with mortality. DISCUSSION Findings suggest that slower pace of aging mediates part of the relationship of healthy diet with reduced dementia risk. Monitoring pace of aging may inform dementia prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Thomas
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Calen P Ryan
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Terrie E. Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Karen Sugden
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jiayi Zhou
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel W. Belsky
- Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Joseph P. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yian Gu
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Joseph P. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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16
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O'Shea DM, Alaimo H, Davis JD, Galvin JE, Tremont G. A comparison of cognitive performances based on differing rates of DNA methylation GrimAge acceleration among older men and women. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 123:83-91. [PMID: 36641830 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive heterogeneity increases with age rendering sex differences difficult to identify. Given established sex differences in biological aging, we examined whether comparisons of men and women on neuropsychological test performances differed as a function of age rate. Data were obtained from 1921 adults enrolled in the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. The residual from regressing the DNA methylation GrimAge clock on chronological age was used as the measure of aging rate. Slow and fast age rates were predefined as 1 standard deviation below or above the sex-specific mean rates, respectively. ANCOVAs were used to test group differences in test performances. Pairwise comparisons revealed that slow aging men outperformed fast aging women (and vice versa) on measures of executive function/speed, visual memory and semantic fluency; however, when groups were matched by aging rates, no significant differences remained. In contrast, women, regardless of their aging rates, education or depressive symptoms maintained their advantage on verbal learning and memory. Implications for research on sex differences in cognitive aging are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre M O'Shea
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA; Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
| | | | - Jennifer D Davis
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - James E Galvin
- Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Geoffrey Tremont
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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17
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O’Shea DM, Galvin JE. Female APOE ɛ4 Carriers with Slow Rates of Biological Aging Have Better Memory Performances Compared to Female ɛ4 Carriers with Accelerated Aging. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 92:1269-1282. [PMID: 36872781 PMCID: PMC10535361 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that APOE ɛ4 carriers have worse memory performances compared to APOE ɛ4 non-carriers and effects may vary by sex and age. Estimates of biological age, using DNA methylation may enhance understanding of the associations between sex and APOE ɛ4 on cognition. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether associations between APOE ɛ4 status and memory vary according to rates of biological aging, using a DNA methylation age biomarker, in older men and women without dementia. METHODS Data were obtained from 1,771 adults enrolled in the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. A series of ANCOVAs were used to test the interaction effects of APOE ɛ4 status and aging rates (defined as 1 standard deviation below (i.e., slow rate), or above (i.e., fast rate) their sex-specific mean rate of aging on a composite measure of verbal learning and memory. RESULTS APOE ɛ4 female carriers with slow rates of GrimAge had significantly better memory performances compared to fast and average aging APOE ɛ4 female carriers. There was no effect of aging group rate on memory in the female non-carriers and no significant differences in memory according to age rate in either male APOE ɛ4 carriers or non-carriers. CONCLUSION Slower rates of aging in female APOE ɛ4 carriers may buffer against the negative effects of the ɛ4 allele on memory. However, longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate risk of dementia/memory impairment based on rates of aging in female APOE ɛ4 carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre M. O’Shea
- Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - James E. Galvin
- Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA
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18
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Reed RG, Carroll JE, Marsland AL, Manuck SB. DNA methylation-based measures of biological aging and cognitive decline over 16-years: preliminary longitudinal findings in midlife. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:9423-9444. [PMID: 36374219 PMCID: PMC9792211 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation-based (DNAm) measures of biological aging associate with increased risk of morbidity and mortality, but their links with cognitive decline are less established. This study examined changes over a 16-year interval in epigenetic clocks (the traditional and principal components [PC]-based Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, GrimAge) and pace of aging measures (Dunedin PoAm, Dunedin PACE) in 48 midlife adults enrolled in the longitudinal arm of the Adult Health and Behavior project (56% Female, baseline AgeM = 44.7 years), selected for discrepant cognitive trajectories. Cognitive Decliners (N = 24) were selected based on declines in a composite score derived from neuropsychological tests and matched with participants who did not show any decline, Maintainers (N = 24). Multilevel models with repeated DNAm measures within person tested the main effects of time, group, and group by time interactions. DNAm measures significantly increased over time generally consistent with elapsed time between study visits. There were also group differences: overall, Cognitive Decliners had an older PC-GrimAge and faster pace of aging (Dunedin PoAm, Dunedin PACE) than Cognitive Maintainers. There were no significant group by time interactions, suggesting accelerated epigenetic aging in Decliners remained constant over time. Older PC-GrimAge and faster pace of aging may be particularly sensitive to cognitive decline in midlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G. Reed
- Department of Psychology, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Judith E. Carroll
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Anna L. Marsland
- Department of Psychology, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Stephen B. Manuck
- Department of Psychology, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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