Neurology: Association of the rate of aging as measured by blood DNA methylation with age-related cognitive impairment and dementia

Background and goals: DNA methylation algorithms are increasingly being used to estimate biological aging; however, how these proposed measures of overall biological aging relate to brain aging is unclear

Methods: We tested three generations of DNA methylation age algorithms (first generation: Horvath and Hannum clocks; second generation: PhenoAge and Grimage; third generation: DunedinPACE, Dunedin Pace of Aging calculated from epigenome) against ADNI The following indicators of cognitive impairment in: Clinically diagnosed dementia and mild cognitive impairment; scores on AD/ADRD screening tests (Alzheimer's Assessment Scale; Minimum Status Exam; Montreal Cognitive Assessment); Knowledge test scores (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test; Logical Memory Test; Tracking Test)

result:

The third generation of blood-based DNA methylation measures of aging has proven valuable for measuring differences in the rate of aging between individuals, risk of cognitive decline, and evaluating interventions to slow aging

Source: Sugden K, Caspi A, Elliott ML, et al.