A new research paper was published in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 14, Issue 23, entitled, “DNA methylation-based measures of biological aging and cognitive decline over 16-years: preliminary longitudinal findings in midlife.”

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. 

In this new study, researchers Rebecca G. Reed, Judith E. Carroll, Anna L. Marsland, and Stephen B. Manuck from University of Pittsburgh and University of California 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. 

“We hypothesized that overall, cognitive Decliners would be biologically older compared to cognitive Maintainers.”

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.

“In conclusion, these preliminary results suggest PC-GrimAge and DNAm based pace of aging measures (Dunedin PoAm and PACE) associate with 16-year, neuropsychologically-validated cognitive decline in midlife. The results warrant a larger-scale study to better examine longitudinal associations between changes in DNAm measures and changes across multiple cognitive domains. Ultimately, establishing DNAm measures as biomarkers of cognitive function in midlife may offer pre-clinical markers of a molecular aging mechanism that can help identify individuals at increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia in later life.”

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204376 

Corresponding Author: Rebecca G. Reed - rebecca.reed@pitt.edu 

Keywords: epigenetic age, aging biomarker, pace of aging, geroscience, cognitive aging

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article:  https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.204376

About Aging-US:

Launched in 2009, Aging (Aging-US) publishes papers of general interest and biological significance in all fields of aging research and age-related diseases, including cancer—and now, with a special focus on COVID-19 vulnerability as an age-dependent syndrome. Topics in Aging go beyond traditional gerontology, including, but not limited to, cellular and molecular biology, human age-related diseases, pathology in model organisms, signal transduction pathways (e.g., p53, sirtuins, and PI-3K/AKT/mTOR, among others), and approaches to modulating these signaling pathways.

Please visit our website at www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us:

SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/agingus​
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/
Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/
For media inquiries, please contact media@impactjournals.com.

Aging (Aging-US)

DNA Methylation-Based Measures of Biological Aging and Cognitive Decline Over 16 Years

Aging (Aging-US) published a new editorial paper in Volume 15, Issue 4, entitled, “Cognitive aging and dementia prevention: the time for psychology?”

Modifiable risk and protective factors (e.g. engaging in active lifestyles and avoiding alcohol or smoking amongst others) are seen as key agents for dementia prevention, and they also exert an important effect on cognitive trajectories of non-demented older adults. In this new editorial, researchers David Bartrés-Faz, Cristina Solé-Padullés and Natalie L. Marchant from the University of Barcelona discuss recent research that has begun to identify psychological processes that confer relative risk and protection. 

“For example, repetitive negative thinking (RNT), a cognitive process defined by selfrelevant, persistent thoughts that elaborate on negative themes, has been associated with greater burden of typical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathological brain markers and accelerated cognitive decline over time [3].”

In contrast, self-reflection, as well as purpose in life and other components of psychological well being, may help to maintain cognition and boost cognitive resilience against neuropathological burden. The possibility of incorporating psychological elements as key players in affecting one of the most important public health issues of the century opens a window of great therapeutic opportunity, particularly because fundamental psychological processes are at the core of cognitive-behavioral interventions that may help reduce dementia risk. However, for this emergent area to develop and wield maximum benefit, major unanswered questions need to be addressed. In their editorial, the researchers highlight three main areas for future research. 

“In summary, we propose that with momentum gathering, now is the time for psychology to make important contributions to cognitive ageing and dementia prevention research.”

Full Paper: DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204562 

Corresponding Author: David Bartrés-Faz - dbartres@ub.edu 

Keywords: cognitive aging, psychological factors, dementia, prevention

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article: https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.204562

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts

About Aging-US

Launched in 2009, Aging-US publishes papers of general interest and biological significance in all fields of aging research and age-related diseases, including cancer—and now, with a special focus on COVID-19 vulnerability as an age-dependent syndrome. Topics in Aging-US go beyond traditional gerontology, including, but not limited to, cellular and molecular biology, human age-related diseases, pathology in model organisms, signal transduction pathways (e.g., p53, sirtuins, and PI-3K/AKT/mTOR, among others), and approaches to modulating these signaling pathways.

Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us:

SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/

Media Contact
18009220957
MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Cognitive Aging and Dementia Prevention: The Time for Psychology?

BUFFALO, NY — July 8, 2025 — As populations worldwide continue to age, understanding the mechanisms and manifestations of cognitive aging is increasingly urgent for science, medicine, and society. Age-related cognitive decline ranges from mild memory lapses to the onset of dementia, and is shaped by a complex interplay of molecular, cellular, systemic, and social determinants.

In this special collection, Aging (Aging-US) seeks to bring together cutting-edge research that spans the cellular and molecular underpinnings of cognitive aging with insights into the psychosocial, behavioral, and environmental factors that modulate its course. By integrating basic biology with translational and societal dimensions, this collection aims to foster a holistic understanding of how and why cognitive function changes with age—and what can be done to preserve it.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives across model systems and human studies, particularly those that promote interdisciplinary insights and translational potential.

POTENTIAL TOPICS

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms

-Senescence, inflammation, and neurodegeneration in cognitive decline
-Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in aging neurons
-Neurovascular aging and blood-brain barrier integrity
-Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics of the aging brain
-mTOR, autophagy, and proteostasis in age-related cognitive impairment
-The role of glial cells (microglia, astrocytes) in brain aging

 Genetics and Biomarkers

-Genetic risk factors and epigenetic modifications associated with cognitive aging
-Biomarkers of cognitive resilience and vulnerability
-Neuroimaging and fluid-based biomarkers in aging populations

Interventions and Lifestyle Factors

-Cognitive benefits of caloric restriction, exercise, or senolytic therapies
-Preclinical and clinical trials targeting aging pathways to prevent cognitive decline
-Impact of sleep, nutrition, and metabolic health on cognition in older adults
-Use of cognitive strategies and compensatory techniques to maintain or enhance function in aging

Environmental and Social Contexts

-Impact of social isolation, education, and socioeconomic status on cognitive trajectories
-Lifelong cognitive reserve and its determinants
-Cross-cultural and demographic studies on aging and cognition
-Digital health tools for monitoring or enhancing cognitive function in the elderly

SUBMISSION DETAILS:

-Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026
-Manuscript Format: Please follow the journal’s submission guidelines
-Peer Review: All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process
-Submission Link: https://aging.msubmit.net/cgi-bin/main.plex

To learn more about the journal, please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/
X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc

MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Now Accepting Submissions: Special Collection on Cognitive Aging

Aging-US is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive aging and the development of age-related diseases. Our mission is to serve as a platform for high-quality research that uncovers the cellular, molecular, and systemic processes underlying aging, and translates these insights into strategies to extend healthspan and delay the onset of chronic disease.

Read about the Aging (Aging-US) Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity

New tracks tagged #cognitiveaging